tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7920524287469713022024-03-05T18:39:52.335-08:00The Incantevole Talesashley tahghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15995046172185384734noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792052428746971302.post-28670517027070234762013-11-25T18:25:00.002-08:002013-11-26T07:11:04.140-08:00Prid (Part 5)<div style="text-align: center;">
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My world is over.</div>
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My life is done.<br />
She was everything to me.<br />
I don't remember anything good without her.<br />
She was my soul.<br />
<br />
But I can't do this anymore.<br />
Anakis wouldn't want this.<br />
She'd want me to stop, be the warrior she knows I could be.<br />
<br />
When I look back on it now, I have been weak.<br />
Anakis was always the strong one.<br />
She was the one that was there for me.<br />
I won't be like that anymore.<br />
<br />
I <i>can't </i>be like that anymore.<br />
<br />
I'm not going to be like I was before.<br />
Love is nothing to me now.<br />
<br />
I feel it hard to speak to anyone anymore.<br />
Lani feels horrible about it.<br />
I don't know what to tell her, what to say.<br />
Anything I would say would just confirm my darkest suspicions:<br />
<br />
Andromeda has taken not only Anakis, Nairi, and Kaymele, but our hearts as well.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792052428746971302.post-83660122316281732582013-11-04T18:18:00.002-08:002013-11-04T18:20:07.429-08:00Kaymele (part 12)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8abMvItxJTzM2x0hHOrEKRQEHitoMYH9eQ53E9SkNH5Guk4nc7_2l48vUegTWlN3PLNHowz99WkSbG9uGNhJzmF8PQJ9fWGfqOWKAEQcoEzDbb9QCH1ir_STmLet1g7cG1bI0AFyNsUfD/s1600/5adba759a30c473664bf4a860e05c6b2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8abMvItxJTzM2x0hHOrEKRQEHitoMYH9eQ53E9SkNH5Guk4nc7_2l48vUegTWlN3PLNHowz99WkSbG9uGNhJzmF8PQJ9fWGfqOWKAEQcoEzDbb9QCH1ir_STmLet1g7cG1bI0AFyNsUfD/s1600/5adba759a30c473664bf4a860e05c6b2.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> '<i>Where am I? Is this another vision or are these things taking place?' </i>My thoughts are jumbled together, and my head aches. There's a burning pain in my left shoulder, I carefully touch the area and feel a hole about three and a half inches across, and very deep. Pulling my hand away into the dim light, it's covered with blood, it must be bleeding badly. Somehow the dress I was wearing has been changed into a rough sack dress that comes past my knees. Though my vision is minimal, I can make out that I'm in a small room, possibly a cell, but there's a flight of stairs that lead up somewhere. The only light comes from a tiny window far above me. Standing is out of the question, if I attempt I feel certain I'll end up right back in the floor, and my ankle is chained to the wall a short distance away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> The sound of approaching feet reach my ears from far above, and the jingling of a bunch of keys in a lock echoes from the top of the stairs. The door creaks in protest as it moves open, the door closes with a loud boom. Heavy footfalls of guards on the stairs nearly muffle the light clicking sound made by someone much lighter following. Slowly I slide myself out of the light, that's when the shackle around my ankle pulls against the wall and glows red, not allowing me to move anything for a few seconds.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8d9MisMM_JA9Y6DndpkcraCMh_0jaBd9_9EV4oeWIpSzTyN_o0V_4BApwJ5hmF9Gi2eLQDIrtYlVmD6kIFa9-8hBIxNm0cV7FHAh2efVAHA58G_avJAqoPfnQzFQVN1RhXL8RlCR2zz5F/s320/584764db02f4ad9ae49fc4d2c52ecdaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8d9MisMM_JA9Y6DndpkcraCMh_0jaBd9_9EV4oeWIpSzTyN_o0V_4BApwJ5hmF9Gi2eLQDIrtYlVmD6kIFa9-8hBIxNm0cV7FHAh2efVAHA58G_avJAqoPfnQzFQVN1RhXL8RlCR2zz5F/s320/584764db02f4ad9ae49fc4d2c52ecdaf.jpg" height="320" width="248" /></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'Sorry dear, trying to hide isn't going to help,' says a woman wearing a black dress and a blood red cape. She laughs lightly, and comes down the last few steps, 'We haven't formally met, I am Lady Andromeda, it's good to see you're awake. I'm feared my dragon had wounded you too badly, and I wouldn't get any use out of you. But I think you'll live, for now. What is your name?'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> I stare at her, as if she were talking to a statue. To scared to speak, her eyes seemed to look straight into my soul, and she turned to face the guards.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'Go back outside the door, I can handle this one,' she says in a commanding voice, both turned and marched up the stairs, 'What. Is. Your. Name?' she asks again insistently.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'Kaymele,'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'What a pretty name. Tell me, Kaymele, what are you? Are you dwarf? Elf? I know you're not human, but definitely a mermaid. My spies have assured me of that. But you're very short for a mermaid, so not full blooded,'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'I am what you choose to think I am,' I say indifferently.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> She narrows her eyes, and presses her lips together. Slowly she begins to pace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'What do you know of The Starlight Cavern?' she asks slyly. My heart skips a beat, wondering how on earth she could know of this sacred place, 'The less you say here, the more I can get out of you upstairs.' </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'What you could possibly have waiting there for little ol' me,' I say sarcastically.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> With one hand she grabs the fabric of my dress on my hurt shoulder, and yanks up hard, sending a horrific pain through my body. I let out a small yelp of pain, and she smiles evilly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'Oh Kaymele, don't you know I have the power to inflict pain on you? I wouldn't push your luck too much,' she releases my shoulder, 'Let this be a reminder. Guards!'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> The door unlocks and the guards hurry down the stairs. They stop and salute her, she walks towards them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'Take her out of this cell and move her upstairs with the other prisoner,' she spins around, 'so we may talk better.'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'Yes Lady Andromeda,' they say in unison.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Without another word they unchain my ankle, and carry me up the stairs. My shoulder objects to all the movement, it's all I can do not to moan. When we are through the door at the top of the stairs, it turns out it's not the end to the stairs. There is a door on the left and about 4 feet to the right there are hundreds of wide stairs leading up in a spiral. But there's something funny about the stairs, they look like any other, but when Andromeda steps onto the left side, closest to the wall, she starts gliding up the stairs. Almost as if they were moving for her. The guards do the same, and slowly we begin moving up the stairs. Not with rough steps like before, but the steps were moving for us, and at a quick pace too. My shoulder is still bleeding heavily, and I think the guard on that side has changed his skin color several times from red, to green, and finally he's gone ghostly pale. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> This place must be full of magic, and all to soon we reach the doors at the top of the tower. One door has bars across the window, and the other has no window at all. I am led to the door with the window, and escorted inside. Another figure is huddled in the corner, with his clothes torn and fresh whip marks on his shoulders and chest. I am slightly blinded by the abundance of light streaming through the window, but it's barred with thick iron rods. We are so high off the ground I don't see how anyone could escape that way even if they wanted to. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> I'm led to the opposite wall and chained to it by both my ankles. The other person moved slightly, and let out a soft moan. The guards march out and lock the door.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'Hello? Are... are you alright?' I ask timidly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'Why do you ask, aren't you just here to hurt me more?' he pauses and stands up. He is gigantic, at least 6 and half feet tall, and very muscular. His shirt is tattered and fresh whip wounds bleed on top of old ones. He looks at me eyes wide and crazed, 'You work for her don't you? And you're trying to get more information out of me. I WON'T DO IT, DO YOU HEAR ME ANDROMEDA, I WON'T!!!' he shouts at the door.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'I...I... d,don't work for her. She captured me. I don't exactly know why I was captured but I am. Who are you, and where are we?'</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> He crouches down and puts his head in his hands for a long while. Slowly his hands slide off his face.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSalnuvLnxb1QVz-WFwpGf0QMmrECsjIMH2Gp6U4ocFt_eXJ01yoimP06jimO5IKWIGV4d-UnU5hDAE-p8v2wErIlDExganvxW0M8GnkZkpVXVjjRJxoTGvPbZO4IraI8vyDgv4Z3cyqeS/s1600/eb038e7f52a3c188f12dccb2b80fb7d0-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'I am Thalion Uaine, and I too was captured for reasons unknown,' he pauses and double checks my face, probably still unsure whether I'm friend or foe, 'We are in a tower that was built long ago, for Wizards and Scholars to learn and grow in knowledge. It's hidden deep in the South Marshes, and it has a tall, dome like, shield the makes you think there's nothing there so it's almost impossible to spot. When Felix took over, Andromeda broke the shield and attacked the tower slaughtering everyone that crossed her path, until they surrendered. All remaining wizards and scholars have been on her side ever since,' he turns, 'Thanks for offering to help me earlier, trust me I've been in worse pain than this before.' </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> In the afternoon light his face seemed hollowed out, tired, and filled with grief. His shackles are shorter than mine, but still clamped on at the ankles. I try to call out to Florentide, but some deep magic is preventing any message from getting through, and with every try I feel weaker. After a while I'm so tired I can't feel anything. With the last remnants of my strength I scoot closer to get a better look at Thalion's</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> wounds. Upon closer inspection his wounds are more gruesome than anticipated. I tried to whisper a few words Anakis had taught me, but they didn't work.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSalnuvLnxb1QVz-WFwpGf0QMmrECsjIMH2Gp6U4ocFt_eXJ01yoimP06jimO5IKWIGV4d-UnU5hDAE-p8v2wErIlDExganvxW0M8GnkZkpVXVjjRJxoTGvPbZO4IraI8vyDgv4Z3cyqeS/s400/eb038e7f52a3c188f12dccb2b80fb7d0-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSalnuvLnxb1QVz-WFwpGf0QMmrECsjIMH2Gp6U4ocFt_eXJ01yoimP06jimO5IKWIGV4d-UnU5hDAE-p8v2wErIlDExganvxW0M8GnkZkpVXVjjRJxoTGvPbZO4IraI8vyDgv4Z3cyqeS/s400/eb038e7f52a3c188f12dccb2b80fb7d0-1.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'Maybe I should be asking who you are, and what you are trying to do,' he says stretching. He stands and leans against the bars in the window, waiting for my answer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'Where do I begin...' I start.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'Your name would be a good start,'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'No need to be sarcastic. My name is Kaymele, and I'm a rebel against Felix and Andromeda. I don't know how many days ago I was taken, but the rebel base was attacked. I have had, and still am having medical training. That's what I was trying to do to your wounds, but for some reason my healing skills aren't working here. Really it's Anitar who supplies the healing, but that's another story,' I have to pause to catch my breath, he's staring at me, studying my face closely, then turning away, 'Anyway, I was captured and brought here for something. Though I don't know what besides the fact that she mentioned the Starlight Cavern.'</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> At the name of the Starlight Cavern he whips his head around. 'You know of the Starlight Cavern?' he asked. I looked out the window, and took a deep breath.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'I only know what my Father has told me, and that's not much. He's very secretive because he's the key bearer. If anything was to happen to him I don't know what I'd do. Far too many of my family members have been killed, and that is more that anyone should ever know. To have that empty void inside yourself, is unlike any pain known to anyone, and I do not wish to feel that pain once again,' I say quietly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'It's probably best not to say that to Andromeda, she can and will do whatever is possible to get inside. I don't know what for but I've been here tortured long enough to figure that out,' he says looking back out the window.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'Where are you from? I know you're an Elf, but are you from the mountains?' I ask cautiously.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'I am from <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">Voronwë the glorious Elfin city. And you, you must be from the seaside. I can tell by your accent,' he says.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"> 'Yes, I do. Well I did... but that's ancient history. Do you have family in </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">Voronwë?'</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"> He turns his head as if to say "Why are you asking?".</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"> 'I don't mean to pry, but...' I drop my voice to a whisper, 'since </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">we're both here together and I thought </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">we might start talking about nonsense, so they don't get suspicious,' I pause, and bring my voice back to it's original volume, 'You're just so tall, I was wondering if you had a family would they all have dark hair and be close to the same height?'</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"> He nods his head, and sits down with one leg stretched out. 'Well, actually no my family looks nothing like me. I have a brother, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Lithônien</span></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> and a sister, Bly. Now my brother is chief scholar...'</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"> 'You have a sister named Bly?' I ask cutting him short.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"> 'Yes, she is one of the Diplomats of </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">Voronwë, she and her teacher tried to reason with Felix, but he only pretended to agree with the terms of lawful kingship. After they had left he sent soldier to bring them back alive, but her teacher put up a fight, and was killed for his attempts. Bly was taken to the castle...'</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"> 'And locked in the dungeons. Later to escape with Xander,' I finish for him, 'I think I know your sister, she has long blonde hair right and bl</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">ushes a good deal.'</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"> 'Yes, that's Bly,' he laughs, 'how did you meet?'</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"> 'We ran into each other in the Tawarthion. I was already with group when Bly, Xander, Nairi, and Adonis joined us on our journey to Revelin.'</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"> 'Well it truly is a small world that we live in, but now we have a danger facing both of us. Named Andromeda, she's the so called king's right hand, and does most of his dirty work. She hasn't been able to torture me as much lately because she was off getting you. Now that she has you there's no telling what all she has planned for us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> The minutes slowly pass by, and neither of us feels like talking after that. We are either too weak from hunger, or our wounds. The sun starts setting outside our window, I lie on my side away from it because it hurts my eyes, and my heart. Thinking of the sunsets that I may have left, and how many I was suppose to have with Nithron. Knowing that I truly have feelings for Nithron, and he for me is so unbearable. The thought that we may never see each other again until death is heart wrenching. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> '<i>This was not how I had imagined death, I thought it would come softly like a gentle breeze. But no, it's so much darker than that, I've seen death. On the faces of men, women and children. People I've loved and lost in so many ways, and for what? I know there's no true answer, everyone dies of something. Some may be more gruesome than others, but we have to forget the bad and remember only the good, that's just how we deal with life. As an immortal I've never known death and never should, but if I do die. My soul will go to Anitar.' </i> There is now nothing to do until morning, and until then I have purposed not to say anything more as the tears steadily flow down my cheeks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> The night was unnaturally chilly, and there was almost nothing to keep warm with. I lay on the stone floor trying to ignore the pain of my shoulder, and the cold, by thinking of home. The deep waters in the rivers, the mossy caverns, and the sweet air that would blow gently through the house when the windows were open. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> When dawn approached it's no better than the night, it's cold with the changing of the seasons. My skin is blue with the cold, and just looking at Thalion I can guess the cold is nothing new to him. The only thing setting off the color of my skin are the smears of blood that I attempted to use as warmth in the night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> A door somewhere far off creeks open and slams shut again. Though there are no footsteps we both know someone or something is coming. The guards outside the door jump to attention, rattling their armor. The door opens and both of us have bags pulled over our heads, and we're unchained from the wall. They pick me up, but my legs don't want to cooperate and I fall flat on my face.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'Don't break her!' hisses Andromeda, 'She is still needed... Carry her fool!'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> He doesn't hesitate, and hefts me over his shoulder. We are taken down a long corridor, and at some point go through a door into a room that must be very large, by the echoing sounds of the soldiers heavy foot steps. The bags are taken off our heads, and with horror we both look around the room. It's apparent that neither of us have seen the room. With it's high, blood streaked, walls even the ceiling has blood splattered on it. But the blood is not what makes us gasp in horror, it's the impressive array of knives, whips, needles, a helmet with needles sticking in it with the blood of the last person still on the tips, and other terrible small objects. Other things like a rack, and a coffin with a lock on it, a Garrote, and a small cage hanging from the ceiling were everywhere you looked. Hooks were everywhere along the walls, to hold the chains of the victims, and posts were set up side by side with ropes to tie down the wrists for whipping. There were no windows anywhere, not even a crack. At first it was much warmer than the cell, but the heat seemed to increase the longer we stayed in the room. On the far wall there were 5 words that made everything we've just seen a thousand times worse. It said "I wish I could die." it looked as if the writer had written it with his fingernails.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> The evil smile on Andromeda's face, was a sure sign that she knew, just the sight of this place would be the first affliction she would give us. She pointed a long finger at the guard that was holding my chains. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'Put her in the cage, so she can watch,' she said with a slight purr.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYpevIZDoesZsGwAGgVmBneE5eB8ZIaSkem2VvbJfgk-gF-lHZNyr7ofFzEeMQgdtL7Pq8_emtkobmSIOewtJlwH15mk3t0JamXIGCA7F4l7htcN0cnTu83WvA6ZeAXhwTt3Y8S6EFqQF/s640/circleofthecrone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYpevIZDoesZsGwAGgVmBneE5eB8ZIaSkem2VvbJfgk-gF-lHZNyr7ofFzEeMQgdtL7Pq8_emtkobmSIOewtJlwH15mk3t0JamXIGCA7F4l7htcN0cnTu83WvA6ZeAXhwTt3Y8S6EFqQF/s640/circleofthecrone.jpg" height="640" width="224" /></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Thalion is chained down to a table, and left there so the guards can lower the cage. My shackles are removed only for a moment, then they tied my hands above my head with rope, and close the door. The cage is so small that I can't move my legs out from underneath myself into a more comfortable position. Both guards hoist the cage 10 feet in the air, and I am forced to watch as Thalion is beaten, burned, stuck with needles, and stretched in the Rack. Finally she ties his hands behind his back, and forces him on his knees. By now he's too weak to even consider trying to escape, and she circles him, her long fingernails running across his shoulder. She had been asking him questions on and off the whole time, about whether or not he knew rebel secrets. If he did, then he was not very well informed, most were things she already knew, but it didn't matter she just wanted to make me watch. Suddenly she spun around and walked towards me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'Tell me Kaymele, aren't you enjoying this,' she asks smugly, she knows I've done a good deal of crying. I haven't even known him for a day, and still I can't bear to watch him be tortured for secrets that he obviously doesn't know. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'If I answer yes, would it make a difference in your resolve to torture him?' I snip.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Her face reddens, and she motions for the cage to be lowered, and she grabs my neck and digs her fingernails into my skin. The nails themselves are not what truly hurts, it's the white hot heat radiating through them into my blood.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'Don't you realize I have complete power over your life and his! I could kill him in an instant and you could do nothing, and do you want to know why?' she releases her iron grip and walks around to my back, 'the dragon who pierced your shoulder injected you with, oh how shall I put this, a power drainer. It invades your mind and body removing all powers you may poses. Of course I had no true knowledge of Mermaids so I decided not to take any <i>risks.</i>' she hisses.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> '<i>Is that what she's done to me? No wonder I can't get in contact with Florentide!'</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> </i>'And now your options are this; I can kill your friend Thalion here, or you can take me to the Starlight Cavern and he can go free. Your choice,' she bargains.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> I look over at Thalion's bruised and bloody face, he shakes his head and mouths "no". Andromeda's violet eyes flash with anticipation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'I don't want any more blood shed, and yet how do I know you're telling the truth?' I say question.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'Oh dear me, I guess you'll just have to find out. Now quickly my dear, my patience is wearing thin,'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'I.... well I,' I take a deep breath, 'I'll take you to the Cavern, just promise you won't hurt him,' Thalion's head drops as if he's been hit, but the blow was much worse than bodily damage. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Andromeda's lips spread into a smile, 'Oh I won't hurt him... much,</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">' she walks past Thalion to a bench with dozens of knives. She lingers over them, waving her hand gingerly until she passes over one of the larger knives. It's a wicked looking thing, serrated on both sides, and a slim, bright blue tip. She faces him, pulls him in plain view, and stands just off to the side so I can see his face. I bite my lip to stop the words, but it doesn't help.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'What are you doing?! You promised no harm would come to him!' I shout.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'Oh did I?' she sneers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> She doesn't even wait for my response, she whips around blindingly fast, and slashes the knife through Thalion's throat. His eyes widen and his pupils dilate. Blood starts flowing out of his mouth, and gushing from his neck. Andromeda kicks him square in his chest, and he falls to the floor gasping like a fish out of water, but worse, the only air he will get from this moment forward is his own blood as he slowly chokes to death. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'THALION!' I scream.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Andromeda only laughs, 'As you can see, I don't bargain with life. It far too easy to destroy,' she hisses.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'You killed him... YOU KILLED HIM!' I bang my hands on the bars, and the cage shakes dramatically 'Why did you kill him?! He was innocent, and was promised life!' I say choking on tears.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'To reinforce my power over your life. You see, I have total control, and there's nothing you can possibly do about it! And now the only distraction in your life is me. Bring her down,' she commands.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndFxu3vyGU7A5m4A3KRGCpYJdazmqJPWJhJ2iXobBfBV9VonlM4fIxMkmVBXe17K5r9rPLNabmwVrXlIjvzvAJ0b01ZtZp7_3VFdjB5RDEFhLZT1RCwAFf9xAk3EdTBjrGiq97O4jYCg2/s1600/lips2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndFxu3vyGU7A5m4A3KRGCpYJdazmqJPWJhJ2iXobBfBV9VonlM4fIxMkmVBXe17K5r9rPLNabmwVrXlIjvzvAJ0b01ZtZp7_3VFdjB5RDEFhLZT1RCwAFf9xAk3EdTBjrGiq97O4jYCg2/s1600/lips2.jpg" height="320" width="235" /></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> The guards quickly obey, not wanting to be the next victim of Andromeda's wrath. They let the cage down entirely too fast, and it hits the floor with a loud bang. My arms have been over my head for so long that I've lost all feeling in them, and my legs have been numb from the beginning. Andromeda is screaming at the guards to be careful, and to get rid of Thalion's body. One grabs his legs and the other his arms. I try not to look but I looked away too late, his head falls back, and the cut is so deep I can see the bone. His death is something I know I don't want to tell his family, and yet something I must.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'Tell the other guard outside to get in here and move the prisoner to the rack,' she orders.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> He clicks his heals, salutes, and walks out. No sooner he walked out then the other walks right in. He unties my arms, and they drop like a rag doll's. My arms are on fire with the fresh new blood pumping through them. He hefts my body over his shoulder, and surprisingly, gently places me on the rack. He clamps the ankle shackles but leaves the ones for my wrists alone, and just stands there. Under his helmet I can see his kind brown eyes, that look down at my bruised face. All his eyes can say is "I'm so sorry.", and that's more than anyone could ever have done for me in that moment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'Use the lower wrist restraint fool!' Andromeda orders.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Our moment has passed, and he bolts my wrists down without saying a word. She walks slowly over with a triumphant smile playing on her lips, and takes her time walking around the Rack. In her hand she still holds the dagger, dripping with Thalion's blood.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'I must say, I'm quite impressed. You have now been branded as weak. That's right, weak!' she slaps my face, and points at the guard. He nods and starts cranking a wheel, slowly the rack starts to lean up, until it's straight upright, 'But now there's nothing slowing us down from going to the Starlight Cavern.'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> 'I will never help you with anything but finding your death witch!' I shout.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-BntyQLJ2_kgWUPCobeNsFv7i7CJZsBS6VbVt61o-t8E2oDVfQ3Lzw59UZOXIgt0NvVuySzIqOFZhFqJXHKoSPhgtPllrGVoEBITlg_3sxfWY3KSvAM9cAI-Bv3zdaAVDVUdSlBTV1zf/s1600/blackout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-BntyQLJ2_kgWUPCobeNsFv7i7CJZsBS6VbVt61o-t8E2oDVfQ3Lzw59UZOXIgt0NvVuySzIqOFZhFqJXHKoSPhgtPllrGVoEBITlg_3sxfWY3KSvAM9cAI-Bv3zdaAVDVUdSlBTV1zf/s1600/blackout.jpg" height="400" width="268" /></a><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> 'Oh, I see we are going to have to do this the hard way,' she shakes her head, and without warning she grabs my face and slams my head back against the table hard, nearly blacking me out. She takes the very tip of the knife and slits my lip 5 times. I can taste my blood slowly oozing from the slits, but my first taste was Thalion's innocent blood on my lips. She quickly walks to a shelf filled with multiple bottles with labels in a different language, and picks out 3 different vials. She starts chanting something and fills a wooden bowl with a mixture of the 3, and splashes the purple mix on my face, hands and legs. Then she dips her entire hand into it and smears in on my lips and face. The sensation of the mixture on my open wounds and flesh is horrific, then she opens my mouth and forces me to swallow. It burns like salt in an open wound, and going down my throat it's like drinking sticky fire, anywhere it touched it burned, I'm sure this is how I am to die. But no, after that she has a huge man come in, he looked about 10 times the size of Thalion, and beats me with a giant wooden rod. Someone's hand runs endlessly over my face smearing the blood until I blackout entirely from the pain. I know nothing more accept that I was carried back to my empty cell with Andromeda saying 'Tomorrow is the day,'</span></div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/71/a8/58/71a85838b537b1ddb5816455dfab66cf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/71/a8/58/71a85838b537b1ddb5816455dfab66cf.jpg" width="438" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Is he dead?" </div>
<div>
the foggy parts of his mind were beginning to awaken again, and with the rise from their slumber came pain.<br />
<div>
Every fiber of his being hurt and ached. </div>
<div>
In his state of painful subconscious, It was hard to tell where he was actually hurt from where his body was just aching in sympathy for him. </div>
<div>
He wanted to open his eyes, but his body told him that to return to the black void of sleep would ease his pain and be the best. </div>
<div>
But he was going to fight it. </div>
<div>
The flickering of a torch thrust near his face was the first sight he saw when he opened his eyes. </div>
</div>
<div>
"ah! no sir! he lives yet. Strong brute. Bet he put up quite the fight when caught" </div>
<div>
Beyond the torch was an unfamiliar face, but, in his current state, it could have been his mother and he wouldn't have recognized her. </div>
<div>
Though, the lady <i>had</i> died when he was five, so that also lent itself to that matter. </div>
<div>
"Hm. Bring him back to his cell then" standing in the doorway, the owner of the original speaker who had posed the question of whether he was dead or alive stood in the doorway, barely an outline in Greven's foggy vision. </div>
<div>
"I need this chamber cleared, as there is another with a will that needs breaking" </div>
<div>
The first man unhooked the metal cuffs around Greven's wrists, but without them holding him up, he found that his legs refused to have the strength to keep him upright, and the man was forced to support Greven. </div>
<div>
"Teacher, why?" the man spoke softly, barely a whisper, and Greven lifted his eyes to the face of the man whose shoulder he leaned on. </div>
<div>
His vision was getting better, and a snatch of memory...</div>
<div>
"Joss" the same young man who had helped bring the elf in, as well as one of the boys he had taught archery to. </div>
<div>
Greven glanced towards the doorway, but the second man had left. </div>
<div>
"Because, Joss, I don't-" he was already out of breath, and he couldn't finish. </div>
<div>
"Come on, I need to get you back to the cell before Commander Malum returns" Joss shifted his weight and started walking with Greven. </div>
<div>
The going was slow, Joss having to half carry Greven's dead weight, and they had just left the torture chamber when the man... Malum? passed them, half dragging a young girl, she was tiny, looking more like a child than not, behind him. </div>
<div>
Greven looked back, but the door slammed shut, and Joss kept walking. </div>
<div>
"She's a Ceridwen. they captured her when they attacked Revelin this morning" </div>
<div>
Joss spoke hesitantly, as if worried that giving Greven this information might be dangerous. </div>
<div>
"Revelin..." Greven couldn't think straight, if they attacked Revelin...did Felix know about Xander? no, Xander was at Voronwë, and Felix knew it, so was he attacking blindly? hoping to strike the right person? </div>
<div>
But why capture a child? a Ceridwen at that? </div>
<div>
The walk to his cell felt as if it took hours, and the closer they got, Greven realized he could hear another feminine voice, a constant, low murmuring sound. </div>
<div>
Like a prayer. </div>
<div>
It wasn't until Joss set him down against the bars of Greven's cell while unlocking the door, that he realized. </div>
<div>
The cell opposite his held one other girl. </div>
<div>
She was blond, her hair hanging long, but perhaps not quite as long as the elvish ambassador, Bly's. She was sitting on her knees, her hands folded together, praying. </div>
<div>
"Everyone is saying she's a fairy" Joss whispered, half dragging Greven into his cell. </div>
<div>
The prayers ceased, but Greven was losing conscience again, he had lost more blood on the way here, and his head felt light now. </div>
<div>
The door to his cell shutting sounded like a bang, echoing around in his head while his eyes refused to stay open any longer. </div>
<div>
Voices were whispers, the sound of a door opening, and a cool hand touching his brow, and then he lost all and only hold he had on reality, sinking back into a black murky sleep. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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--------------------------</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He woke when water was forced down his throat, and he sputtered, sitting upright, the action causing pain to sear through his shoulder. </div>
<div>
"I-I'm sorry" the water was drawn away, and he realized he wasn't alone. </div>
<div>
The same girl, Joss had said she was a fairy, had been moved to his cell for some reason, and now she had backed away into the corner, her eyes cast down at her twisting hands. </div>
<div>
He rubbed his face, and then realized that the open cuts had closed, now no more than jagged scars. His muscles no longer felt like they were screaming for mercy, at least, not while he remained still, and from what he could tell, he wasn't actively bleeding anywhere.</div>
<div>
"how" he cleared his throat, "how long have I been here, since being taken from the torture chambers?" </div>
<div>
She looked up, "almost 24 hours" fear was behind her eyes, was she worried that he would hurt her? </div>
<div>
"I healed that fast?" he felt his side, the bruising still was there, but it wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been. </div>
<div>
She shook her head, "N-no, I think you were dying. I begged to help you" </div>
<div>
<i>Dying</i>. </div>
<div>
Greven shifted his weight, scooting back against the wall, the cold, wet stone actually felt good against the welts that still crossed his back, even if they had been lessened. <br />
The gravity of that, dying. He hadn't all that much to live for, he'd helped Xander escape, but he did have a rather strong wish, strengthened by the fact that Xander would someday take the throne, to see that idiot again. <br />
And he almost hadn't. </div>
<div>
"You...helped me?" </div>
<div>
She nodded quickly, "Actually, Deus did. I am merely the vessel he works through" she brushed her skirts, a pale pink material with her hands. Her face heated up, and she looked away, towards the hall way that led to the torture chambers. </div>
<div>
Greven sat in silence, letting this sink in...healed by a fairy, by Dues, was that what they called God? he hadn't ever been very good on learning the cultures of the other races, humans were enough of a job to memorize. </div>
<div>
"Then I thank you, and Dues" </div>
<div>
she colored, and looked back down, but her eyes still darted towards the hallway.</div>
<div>
"Worried for your friend?" </div>
<div>
she nodded, apparently deciding to clam up. </div>
<div>
<i>Great, did I say something offensive? </i></div>
<div>
Silence filled between them, and she sighed, "Nairi is such a hot head sometimes. why couldn't she just..." her eyes grew wide, as if alarmed, "I-I'm sorry. I...shouldn't speak so about others. it's wrong"</div>
<div>
And then she looked back down, shame covering her features. </div>
<div>
"No, sometimes our friends need to be spoken about like that" Greven smiled, "I have a friend, Xander, he's a blooming idiot sometimes. Once, he-" </div>
<div>
"Xander?" her head perked up, "You know Xander?" </div>
<div>
Of course, all Revelin probably knows by now. </div>
<div>
"I'm proud to say, I'm his royal highness' best friend, in fact, I'm in here because I helped him and the Elf Lady escape" </div>
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The fairy tilted her head, "His royal highness? is that a nickname for Captain Bolivar?" </div>
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Greven stared at her, did Revelin not know yet? who all did know the true identity to Xander? </div>
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"no....Xander is...you don't know?" </div>
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She shook her head. </div>
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"Xander is the heir to the throne, I thought all the rebels knew" </div>
<div>
Her eyes grew wide, filled with apprehension. </div>
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"H-how..?" </div>
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<i>Wait, what if she thinks that Xander is...Felix's son? she might not know about Adan's lost heir...in which case, Xander now looks like a liar, and a threat...</i></div>
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"No, no, it's not like that...Xander is Felix's lost great nephew" </div>
<div>
He filled her in on what Thalion had told him, and she listened in complete silence, her eyes wide and almost unblinking. </div>
<div>
When he finished, she stared straight ahead, even her fingers frozen. </div>
<div>
"Xander...is..." </div>
<div>
"Xander is king, or, at least, he should be. He has to come and take the throne from his Grandfather's brother" </div>
<div>
She nodded, "he isn't fully human, then"</div>
<div>
"nope. part elf. a tiny part, but still part. Though, the man had me fooled. he doesn't even look like an Elf" </div>
<div>
And she remained in shocked silence until Joss returned, and whispered that he had to return her to her own cell before someone found out. She nodded mutely and followed him. </div>
<div>
As Joss hurried steps faded away, Greven heard her whisper, ".....king. Captain Bolivar is, king..." </div>
<div>
And it then came to him, that perhaps he should have told her to not repeat it aloud for fear Felix would hear. </div>
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ashley tahghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15995046172185384734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792052428746971302.post-92001871541750153932013-10-25T19:22:00.001-07:002013-10-25T19:22:11.743-07:00Nairi (part 6)Bam!<br />
I banged against the cell again. Who knows how long I had done so.<br />
"You're going to hurt yourself. Y-you should sit down," Anakis whispered, concern in her voice.<br />
"But...I..." I gave up and slumped against the wall, burying my face in my knees. <i>I hope Adonis is okay.</i> I remembered him tumbling out of the sky with the dragon who had taken me. <br />
A door opening interrupted my thoughts. "So," a voice sneered in the darkness, "you're the little girl my nephew has feelings for." A torch was lit and a man with red hair and a swollen eye with a deep gash cut into it, the other piercing gold glared down at me.<br />
"Do you know who I am?" he said.<br />
I realized with a shock that this was the dragon Adonis had attacked. "You." I stopped before I said any more realizing, that if he was alive, Adonis was most likely dead.<br />
My horror must have shown on my face, for he grimaced "Sadly, my nephew isn't dead. Though next time I get a chance, I will kill him. Don't you worry." I gasped. The dragon was Adonis' uncle!<br />
I suppressed my surprise "I wouldn't worry for him, I would worry for you," I told him. "Next time I don't think you will be so lucky."<br />
I must have struck a nerve because he grabbed the bars of the cell with such force that they nearly bent. I heard Anakis move farther back into the corners of the cell. "You insolent little," He took a deep breath and tried to calm down. "I believe that that he wore <i>his </i>luck thin with our last battle, and I believe I will need none to win the next."<br />
"Sure, keep telling yourself that scaly."<br />
"Shut up, you idiotic child!"<br />
"Maybe you should stop bothering him." Anakis mumbled from the corner<br />
"Shut up you idiotic child." I mimicked, completely ignoring Anakis<br />
He looked like he was about to blow "Mark my words girl, you will regret this." He stormed out of the dungeons.<br />
"That probably wasn't a good idea." Anakis whispered.<br />
"Yeah, well, I don't like him. Besides, seeing as they kidnapped us, they probably need us alive, so he can't kill me."<br />
"No, b-but they can probably torture you."<br />
The thought hit me like a rock, and my stomach had a fast sinking feeling "I didn't think about that." I croaked.<br />
Anakis put her head to her knees and kind of curled up and stopped speaking. I never expected to get much talk out of her, anyway. She never did much of it to begin with.<br />
We sat in the prison for what felt like hours, with no way to judge time. The dungeon was dark, cold, and damp. All you could hear was the moaning of other prisoners, the occasional scream, and water dripping.<br />
Suddenly I heard the loud screech of rusty metal on rusty metal that could only be associated with the dungeon door being opened. <br />
I saw torch light slowly descending the hallway of stairs that were the only entrance and exit of the horrid place.<br />
The light made it to the end, illuminating the cells and the face of it's holder. Adonis's uncle. He marched over to our cell with his lips curled up into a gruesome smile.<br />
"Turns out the king does not care what I do with you as long as you don't die, so..." He cracked open the cell door. "Do your best not to die." He grabbed me by the hair and drug me out of the cell. I let out a scream of pain and desperation as he yanked me up.<br />
I pulled water from all around me and bombarded him with it. He grunted, threw me to the ground, and flung the cage door shut. "Big mistake girl." He slapped this weird bracelet on me and I felt my powers forced back. Like a massive river held back by a dam. I moaned and crumpled. I felt like all my strength had fled from my body. "Seems Andromeda's toys work nicely." The last thing I saw before I blacked out was Anakis at the bars of the cell, staring at me on the floor with horror.<br />
********************************<br />
I opened my eyes and my vision blurred. I let out a small grunt and tried to move my feet, but soon realized they weren't touching the ground. I kicked and tried to feel the ground but couldn't and every time I moved my arms felt like they would come out of there sockets.<br />
"I see you're awake." I let my head fall for I did not want to look into the eyes, the cold gold eyes of this man. "If I recall we have not been properly introduced." I could here the humor in his voice. He was <i>enjoying</i> this. How could someone enjoy bringing pain to another, how could hurting someone bring you joy? "To start off my name is Malum, I know you know my little coward of a nephew."<br />
"He isn't," I mumbled.<br />
"Excuse me." The humor was gone.<br />
I lifted my head and looked him in the eyes. "He isn't a coward, Adonis isn't. He may be annoying and inconsiderate of others, but he has the kindest heart when it comes down to it. He is sympathetic when someone is hurting, and protects people when they need it. And I can assure you he is no coward. You may be his uncle, but you of all people have absolutely no right to speak ill of him!"<br />
"I see," He walked over to me "You have feelings for him as well." He laughed. "Well, if you like to talk him up so much where is he right now while you are strung up here, hmm? Probably sitting on a hospital bed wishing he had never opposed me." He smiled "And he will probably be to late to do anything to save y-"<br />
I spit on him interrupting his stupid rant. "Why you little..." He smacked me so hard he cut my cheek, I felt the blood trickling down my jaw line. "If you are so eager for your punishment, why don't we begin."<br />
He walked over to a wall full of so many terrible things, I was terrified of what he would choose. There where whips with glass woven throughout it, weird things that looked so grotesque I didn't even want to imagine what they did, and other various things I do not wish to describe.<br />
His hand brushed over all the evil things before he settled on one. A knife. He meandered over to me sharpening the knife, which already looked sharp. "You know I heard that Ceridwen women don't cut there hair." He ran the knife across my jaw line and I sucked in my breath. It wasn't true. Ceridwen women cut there hair, my mother had short hair. Mine was just this long because I never bothered to cut it.<br />
But seeing as he didn't know that I was willing to bluff if the situation called, "I hear it is a terrible thing to cut it. It means eternal shame." I have no idea how this rumor spread and I didn't care, because just as he said shame he grabbed all of my hair in his hands and hacked it off with the knife. I let out a scream, not because the hair was gone but because the pain of the knife tugging at my hair felt like every hair on my head was being yanked out.<br />
He pulled away with a satisfied look on his face. I felt my hair brush my shoulders but not my back. I glanced at his hands as he dropped a huge pile of black hair onto the floor. "Now, I don't know if it was true or not, but that was a nice scream you let out there." He smiled "Now, shall we truly begin?"<br />
I felt the tears prickle my eyes but I suppressed them. I would <i>not</i> let this man get the best of me.<br />
"What? No response?" He frowned. "Oh, I know, would you like to choose your next form of pain?" He gave a huge smile. I grunted at the pain of my arms being held up above me by the shackles made for the height of a grown man. He must have taken that for a no. "No. I see." His hands hovered over the pile of torture devices with his eyes closed. "Let's leave it to chance, shall we?" He moved his hands over them with his eyes closed and his head facing up.<br />
After about a minute his hand stopped over a whip, and to my utter horror, the one with the glass. "No, please." I begged before I could catch myself.<br />
He whipped his head over to me with shock then smiled. Smiled so coldly I thought I might freeze from his gaze. "Oh yes, I do love it when they beg. Especially when they are as strong willed as you. It is so much fun to break them." He picked up the whip and I closed my eyes, it was better if I couldn't see it. That's what I thought...I was <i>dead</i> wrong.<br />
I felt the searing pain of the whip and the glass tearing at my flesh and let out a scream of sure terror and pain. I had never screamed like that. I never thought something could hurt this bad. I couldn't keep them the tears ran down my face in streams, like the warm blood I felt running down my side. "Please," I breathed "Please no more, please."<br />
I heard him laugh, though I couldn't see him through the tears. "Oh, the joy, she is begging. I think I win. But winning is never fun without an after party because this just hasn't been long enough for my tastes." He set the whip down dripping with blood. My blood. he picked up one thing after another and finally...didn't pick up anything. "You know," he walked over to me and held my chin up so he could look directly at me. "I wonder how you would fare if I just used my fire? Hmm, shall we try?" He lit his hands up, and for one terrible moment he looked just like Adonis. If it weren't for the huge scar running along his eye I probably would have thought it was him in my delirium. <br />
My thoughts were yet again interrupted by a searing pain in my side. I let out another scream, and the pain didn't stop. Malum held his hand there until I fainted and everything went black.Kathrine Hatterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18094944521758691210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792052428746971302.post-18473247877328224752013-08-16T09:25:00.000-07:002013-08-16T09:25:30.436-07:00Natia (Part 5)<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Natia and Percy" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/bb/42/50/bb4250d4a5e73b924bb33fc404aaacac.jpg" height="320" width="184" /></div>
I sat next to Percy and sobbed until I gasped for breath. "My dearest friend, taken! I don't know what I can do! She's such a feeble little thing, and she can't heal herself if she gets hurt!" The cool night air should have helped my burning face, but it only made it worse.<br />
Percy patted my hand, but I pushed it away. "It'll be alright, Natia. We'll do something. It's okay."<br />
"No, it's not okay!" I sprung up in a passion of tears. "She'll not know what to do! She's so very scared and timid. It'll harm her forever! Why couldn't Andromeda taken me? I would have bared it cheerfully for her sake. As long as they didn't take my sweet dear Anakis. I wish I had known!"<br />
Percy kept a steady eye on all of my actions, not speaking. I knew he had no words to make me calm down. I finally sat down with only a sniff. "Andromeda will surely kill her, Percy. I can't save her."<br />
I then had a sudden thought. What must Prid be feeling right now? "Oh, my heavens, Percy. Think of Prid. He's so sensitive about everything. I must go see him."<br />
Percy stood and helped me to my feet. "Would you like me to come as well?" he asked.<br />
I shook my head, brushing the dew off my face, for when fairies cry, we do not cry the salty tears of humans. We cry the fresh dew of mourning. "No." said I. "This is not your pain."<br />
I went off to the tent that Prid shared with Adonis. When I came in, Adonis was not there, and Prid was sitting on the bed, holding in his hand something that glittered in the low lantern light. It was a tiny piece of Anakis' wing, soft pink and more perfect than the moon. Just the sight of it made me start on another flaming passion, swearing that I'd kill Andromeda and that drunkard of a ruler Felix, too. Prid's eye's glinted a bit, looking both tearful and angry. I wondered if I'd be in for a lion companion soon.<br />
At length he spoke. "Anger doesn't solve anything." His voice, indeed, sounded as if he had been crying, yet now he was calm and composed. "I miss her, but we cannot do..." He paused for a shuddering breath. "We cannot do anything. She's probably dead by now."<br />
"But surely, Prid, you do believe we must avenge her, if she is-" My mouth refused to form the word.<br />
"Yes. But I can't. Not today. I feel like I must bury this." Just then, he took out a thin golden ring, so pure and beautiful. It had a tiny speck of coal in it. "This is a magic ring, made by the only real people in Afriki, a part-lion tribe," he explained. "When wedding vows are said, the coal turns into a diamond. It was my mother's.<br />
"I had planned-" here his voice began to be choked with tears, "-that I might win her hand with this very ring. I think that now-" Prid stopped to take a breath as a tear rolled down his cheek. " I think now it'd be best if I just buried it with her bit of wing."<br />
I nodded. Prid's speech had made the tears flow even more. There was a horrid ache in my throat where the sobs should be. "I think...I think I'll go now," said I. I walked over to my tent where Percy no longer was. I sat on what used to be Anakis' cot...<br />
And I let it all go.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792052428746971302.post-12070036447146794512013-08-14T05:49:00.004-07:002013-08-14T05:49:51.686-07:00Felix {part 6}<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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he didn't understand it. </div>
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Curse the Archery captain. </div>
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the clatter of the wine filled goblet filled the throne room as Felix stood from his throne to begin another pacing regimen. </div>
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"the
man I seek, is the man I- no, that was wrong, The man for whom I hunt
is always the man I...." his head was swimming with too much wine, a bad
choice when trying to unpuzzle a riddle. </div>
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He
couldn't think straight, and Andromeda had left, left with that mermaid
captive, and he hadnt gotten the chance to so much as discuss this with
her. </div>
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He sat back down in the throne, and took a deep breath. he had to concentrate, focus his thoughts. </div>
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Closing his eyes, he raised his face towards the roof, but only swirling darkness came. No thoughts would come. </div>
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It was as if his mind was gone. </div>
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Blast it all. </div>
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"Guards!" </div>
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he
repositioned his crown as two of his soldiers left their posts outside
the door, and rushed forward, their hands on their swords, searching for
an enemy. </div>
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"At ease" Felix waved his hand, and cringed inwardly at the slurring of his voice. </div>
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The looked at each other uncomfortably and bowed, "My king?" </div>
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They were just boys, had to be nearer fifteen than twenty, How long had it been since he was that age? </div>
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With his mind all foggy, he couldn't remember exactly how old he was...Maybe Andromeda- oh. right. she wasn't here. </div>
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He realized they were still bowing on one knee, looking towards him expectantly and he motioned for them to stand. </div>
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"You, on the...right? yes, right. tell me, who do I hunt?" </div>
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"M-m'lord?" </div>
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"Tell
me! it's a simple question, list everyone I hunt" Felix slumped in his
throne like a discontented child and mumbled about simpletons. </div>
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"w-well....Y-your enemies, your h-highness...are, uh, many...." The guard looked to his companion who nodded. </div>
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"my
enemies are many...true. there are many people I hunt, and that's the
problem!" Felix slammed his fist into the arm rest, causing both boy
guards to jump. </div>
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"And I
hunt whom I hunt, and I seek those I seek, so it makes no sense
whatsoever" With a sigh and a flick of his hand, his dismissed them, and
they both scuttled out as if relieved. </div>
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He heaved a deeper, sob tinted sigh and lowered his crowned head into his hands. </div>
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Why
didn't that Greven man have any relations he could torture to prompt
the man to speak? An orphan who had been found in the stables, He had
seemed a good, unattached ally at that time. </div>
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but unattatchment was proving to be a double edged blade. </div>
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Felix reached for the bottle of wine, his third, but found it swiped away from his fingers. </div>
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He looked up expectantly, thinking of his Andromeda, but found himself looking into another face. </div>
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"Oh, Malum, it's you. I did not hear your entry announcement" </div>
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The dragon lifted the bottle, peering at the red liquid through the green glass with his good eye. </div>
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"I came in while you were making an oaf of yourself in front of your guards" </div>
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If
he wasn't so drunk, he'd had the dragon thrashed for that talk, but,
perhaps it was best he was drunk and wouldn't have to excite the wrath
of the Dragon Ruler. </div>
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"Glad to know your feelings, Malum. are you any good at riddles, by chance?" </div>
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Dragons lived a long time, surely this particular foul mannered one had gained done super deriddling powers through his years. </div>
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"No" Malum set the wine bottle down, but out of Felix's reach, while simultaneously dashing the drunken king's hopes </div>
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"than what good are you doing, standing there, you overgrown lizard?" </div>
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Felix
again lowered his head, and therefore didn't see the rage in the
dragon's eyes at being called a lizard. and an overgrown one at that. </div>
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And
Malum did a decent job at keeping his voice level, despite the fact
that he'd live nothing more than to strangle this human right now. </div>
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He only worked with him because Andromeda, he feared her, what soul in their right mind didn't? </div>
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"The Ceridwen girl is being troublesome" </div>
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"oh, really? well, thank you for alerting me Malum" Felix looked up just slightly, "I don't care" </div>
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"Than,
you give me leave to bring her to her knees in humility before you?"
Malum leaned forward, setting hus hand on the throne's armrest, close
enough for Felix to smell the smoke scent wafting off of him. </div>
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Andromeda smelled like smoke too, but more of the smoke of burned incense instead of the woodsy, choking smell of the dragons. </div>
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"I said I did not care, do as you please, just don't kill her. We need her alive" </div>
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Felix waved his hand at the dragon, who smiled. </div>
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it wasn't much of an improvement, but oh well. </div>
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"Thank you, good king" </div>
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Malum left, and Felix had to wonder if the tone had implied sarcasm on the 'good king' part. </div>
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No, not another blasted riddle. </div>
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"I
hate riddles, I should have outlawed them" he groaned as his head,
which was beginning to throb, was lowered back into his hands. </div>
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ashley tahghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15995046172185384734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792052428746971302.post-2218628496382223792013-08-14T05:47:00.001-07:002013-08-14T05:47:02.849-07:00Xander {part 8}<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Amongst the elvish corps of white and bay equine, Rudy and Ciar stuck out. </div>
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but, aside from their colors, the horn and massive wings were enough to bring attention. </div>
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Xander
shifted in the saddle, it was an elvish made one, specially crafted to
give Rudy use of his wings. The old one he had brought from Aragathia
had been restricting and looked painful and so a new one had been
commissioned. </div>
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But, it took some getting used to a new saddle when he'd always used his own. </div>
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"keep
shifting like that, your highness, and you'll start hurting in an
unpleasant place" Lithônien pulled his horse up next to Rudy, who
flattened his ears at the scholar's white stallion. </div>
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"Of
course, thank you for reminding me, scholar. But, might I be of aid in
notifying you that the way you are holding the reigns puts pressure on
the bit, and should you relax yourself, the chances of being thrown are
less prevalent?" </div>
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three
days, barely three days of traveling with this man, and Xander was
growing weary of him. Thank God it wasn't a family trait, as both Bly
and Thalion seemed to have inherited the general kind heartedness of
their people. </div>
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But no, Xander sighed mentally, Lithônien had due reason for holding a grudge. </div>
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"<i>Elvish</i> horses do not throw their riders, no matter how much they'd like to" </div>
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Xander had to bite him tongue lest he make a comment that was not needed to be heard coming from a Prince's mouth. </div>
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Things
had become so different since his arrival, he had entered merely as an
ex captain, an escort of the Ambassador, and he was leaving as a
birthright king. </div>
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Lithônien
seemed defeated by Xander's silence; when your opponent doesn't make a
counter attack, it's hard to continue the fight. </div>
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The Elf scholar sighed and loosened his tight grip on the reigns before speaking, "pardon my tongue, Xander" </div>
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<i>Is that...an apology?</i></div>
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Xander looked sidewise at the elf, first shocked that Lithônien had offered an apology. </div>
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And then he had to smile. </div>
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Behind Lithônien, spaced only a few feet </div>
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from
the white stallion was Bly and Alora, both looking simultaneously
pleased with themselves and trying to remain inconspicuous. </div>
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Turning back to Lithônien, Xander inclined his head, "Of course, it held no insult to begin with" </div>
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The
scholar nodded once, before moving his horse up through the ranks, his
place replaced by his stunningly beautiful younger sister (At least,
such is Xander's awed picture of her. The said younger sister would say
she isn't stunning nor all that uncommonly beautiful) as her friend
flanked Xander's right. </div>
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"Lithônien doesn't apologise to very many, you should be honored" Bly held her face straight, but her eyes gave her away. </div>
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"Why do I feel that your brother's apologies were more forced than heartfelt?" </div>
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Ciar reached over, the brushed noses with Rudy while their riders conversed on how Alora <i>might</i> have <i>possibly</i> telepathically scolded Lithônien on his behavior. </div>
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Xander gripped the soft leather reigns more tightly as he struggled to not laugh aloud, "Honestly, you two" </div>
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Alora
smiled politely and ducked her head, "His words should be more
carefully guarded when speaking to the future ruler of Aragathia" </div>
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"I
honestly am not bothered by his frank speaking" The mood had changed
slightly, reminding Xander that he no longer was the same person who
used to be. </div>
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"Perhaps you
are not" Bly's gaze was locked on her brother, who was conversing with
an Elvish commander, a slight smile on his face. "But he should not take
his heartbreak over Rhiana out on you. If he has words to spar with,
then he should have taken them up with Adan or Rhianna, not their
grandson. You cannot help that your grandmother did not love my
brother" </div>
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"You know, this is still just so odd" Xander leaned forward, "My grandmother, and your brother, that's so bizarre for me" </div>
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Bly
laughed, Alora grinning softly behind her hand that descreetly covered
her mouth, "Xander, you had better get used to it. My years are enough,
were I human, I could be your great great grandmother" </div>
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"That's going to take some getting used to" </div>
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Bly's face took a slight look of alarm, and Xander inwardly groaned, he had just insulted her, hadn't he. </div>
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"B-but, in my experience, I'm only a bit younger than you, so, while I'm older, I...I'm actually younger..." </div>
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Alora cleared her throat, "I believe we are about to stop for the evening, I think I'll go find Lithônien" </div>
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Xander
pulled his eyes away from Bly, but the moment he did, Bly moved Ciar
aside, disappearing into the corps of Elvish riders surrounding them. </div>
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Wonderful. I'm going to have to find her and apologies. </div>
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They
unsaddled their animals, allowing them a rest, but just when Xander
started off to go find Bly, he was called aside from a commander who was
going over the castle blueprints Xander had drawn from memory, posing
questions about various matters. </div>
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When he finally was able to free himself, camp fires were already lighting up the deeply shadowed clearing. </div>
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He sought Bly amongst the various fires, but she wasn't with Lithônien or Alora's, nor the other fires. </div>
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"She
really shouldn't just wander around, it's dangerous, even Andromeda
aside, we entered the Tawarthion yesterday, who knows what hunts these
woods" he mumbled to himself while searching where the horses had been
hobbled for the night. </div>
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He found Ciar with Rudy, Bly had apparently returned her to the other horses. </div>
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<i>Bly, where are you? </i></div>
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<i>Xander? </i></div>
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He nearly jumped at the voice in his head, before realizing it was Bly's. Did his imagination conjur up her voice? </div>
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<i>Xander, was that you? did you just...contact me like this? </i></div>
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So...it
was her. But, how? he wasn't Elvish, or rather, he was more human than
Elf, and she had said she possessed no such abilities. </div>
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<i>Xander? </i></div>
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her voice in his head sounded worried. </div>
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<i>Bly?</i></div>
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Oh good. She sighed, <i>I was afraid it wasn't you. And if it wasn't, I did not want to think at who could be calling to me while using your voice. </i></div>
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She<i> </i>didn't sound surprised at speaking in their heads to one another, had she expected this? </div>
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<i>Bly...why, I mean, how are we able to do this? I'm barely an elf, and you had said you couldn't communicate through telepathy. </i></div>
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She
was silent, and he wondered if he had insulted her even more so, and
then her words came, tinged with pink, and it took him a moment to
realize, she was blushing. </div>
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<i>S-sometimes...it's
like this when....when two with Elvish blood, even a little...feel, I
mean, when...they...because me, and you...</i></div>
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She paused, and he again waited, wondering, for her to continue. </div>
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<i>I'm listening</i>. </div>
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She sighed. </div>
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<i>When
two with even the tiniest drop of Elvish blood are in...when they care
for each other deeply, they can speak like this. but only when together.
Even pure humans and Elves can, as long as the elvish one opens the
link first. </i></div>
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Realization dawned. <i>So, because I love her, and she, loves me,</i> that sent thrills deep into Xander's heart, <i>we can speak to each other without audible words.</i></div>
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But another thoughts nagged him. </div>
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<i>Can...the others hear us? </i></div>
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perhaps
that's why she had been bashful to actually say the word 'love'. To say
they loved one another. It made sense, if your older brother could be
eavesdropping into your conversation. </div>
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<i>No. These words are ours alone. </i></div>
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Ours alone. They could speak, without another soul knowing. </div>
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He had to find her, to hold her. </div>
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Bly, where are you? </div>
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Her reply came back quickly, <i>I'm
north of where the horses are. I went for a walk, and got caught in a
bramble bush. Xander, I can't get my dress free without ripping the hem.</i></div>
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He
had to smile, the thought of her standing amongst a bush, hopelessly
stuck, and yet patiently answering each of his questions. She was a
jewel. </div>
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<i>Alright, I'm coming, try not to move around too much. </i></div>
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She
replied with a nod that he could somehow sense, and he felt her
presence withdraw from his mind. waiting patiently for his arrival. </div>
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He
found her just as she had described, it appeared she had tried to walk
through a narrow path through Dimeberry bushes, but, naturally they were
the Tawarthion strain, and closed up around her like a trap. </div>
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"I
can't get free, each time I try, they attach in a new place, and if I
try to just walk through them, even though it would rip my dress, they
wrap around my ankles" She sounded worried, the Tawarthion was huge,
and even though they could see the camp fires from here, it was unlikely
anyone would hear her if she shouted for help. </div>
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"Hold
on, I'll cut them from you" He waded through the bushes, feeling the
almost finger like stems reach towards him, but the soft leather of his
pants kept them from securing their thorns into the cloth. </div>
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"I'm sorry to be so much trouble" Bly whispered as he stepped nearer her. </div>
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"You
aren't any trouble, Bly" He put him arm around her waist, pulling her
up against him while he cut a feisty plant that had crept up to almost
her waist. </div>
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It fell away, shriveling up as it did. </div>
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"But...I can't do anything, not even free myself from a bunch of plants" </div>
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"Nonsense"
he cut the rest of them away, "These aren't normal plants. If I'm
correct, I'd say they are carnivorous. I'm sure you could free yourself
from ordinary Dimeberries" </div>
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He
knelt in front of her, and she lifted the front of her skirt slightly
so he could free her from the vines twisted around her ankles. </div>
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Thankfully, the thick, rather unpretty, riding boots she wore kept the thorns from digging into her skin. </div>
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"But Xander-" </div>
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He
stood suddenly, and put his knife back into the leather holder at his
side. It seems the plants had gotten the idea, and had cleared the path
for them to leave. You don't mess with a man with a knife. </div>
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"No
but Xander's. Bly, you are wonderful just how you are, I wouldn't
change a single thing about you, even if I could" He picked her up,
swinging her into his arms with ease, and walked down the path the plant
carnivores had cleared for them. </div>
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She
colored, but wrapped her arms around his neck, "you mean, you wouldn't
want me to be braver, or more talented, or able to fight with a sword?" </div>
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He
wanted to hug her to his heart, wrap her up in his arms and tell her
just how much he loved everything about her. He'd be talking for days if
he did. </div>
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"If you could fight with a sword, then I wouldn't get to protect you" </div>
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"you...like protecting me?" </div>
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He
smiled, what a dear she was, did she not realize? "It's one of my
greatest passions, protecting you. Because, when I rescue you, I get to
hold you like this" </div>
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She
blushed, but leaned her head against his shoulder, one of her hands
moving from around his neck to finger the embroidered stitches on his
tunic. </div>
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"say it again, Bly. please" his voice was soft, barely more than a whisper, but he needed to hear her say it again. </div>
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"Hmm?" she looked up, confused. </div>
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"You said it at Voronwë, Bly. why couldn't you say it when we were talking in our heads to one another?" </div>
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"You mean..." she trailed off. </div>
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"I
love you Bly. I love you, I love you, I love you. I loved you, past.
I love you, present. I will love you, future. I need to hear you say,
that, you love me" </div>
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Her blue eyes searched his face, moving, lighting up with a plethora of emotions. </div>
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"Xander..." </div>
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She
touched his cheek with her gentle fingers, "I love you, Xander. I love
your protective nature, I love how you are kind, and gentle. I love how
you care about everyone. I love how you put up with Lithônien being
annoying. I love how I feel safe around you, how I know you will take
care of me no matter what. I love the color of your eyes. I love how you
fell backwards when you realized that I was an elf" they both smiled at
the memory, though, Xander's eyes were growing misty even through the
smile. Bly continued, "I love your smile, I love how you smile so
easily. I love the look on your face when you fight to protect those you
care for, oh Xander" she lay her head on his shoulder, "I love you so
very much, and could continue on speaking on all the ways that I do for
centuries" </div>
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His arms
tightened around her, and he willed the tears to not come. This little
elvish lady, bringing him to tears, something told him Greven would
probably laugh at that. </div>
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"Bly, you are precious. never let me lose you" </div>
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"I hope to never be lost from you" </div>
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<br /></div>
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A couple minutes later, they returned to the camp, hand in hand, looking both so perfectly contented with the world. </div>
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But the atmosphere of the camp, which had suddenly turned into a frenzy, was very different. </div>
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"Where were you?" Lithônien met them, his eyes accusing. </div>
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"I went for a walk, and got caught in Dimeberry vines, Xander came to help me get free" </div>
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"Surely all of this isn't for us" Xander glanced around the camp, which had been peaceful when he'd left it. </div>
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"no.
Though, we were becoming alarmed" Lithônien crossed his arms, "next
time, alert me when you plan on taking a stroll with my sister, or
better yet, have Alora or myself accompany you" </div>
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It wasn't even worth arguing with him over. If he wanted to stick with them, let him. they didn't need to speak out loud. </div>
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"Lithônien, if this frenzy isn't for us, whom is it for?" Bly tightened her grip on Xander's hand. </div>
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"we received a messenger falcon, from Revelin" </div>
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Xander felt his breath catch. Revelin wouldn't have sent a bird unless it was urgent. </div>
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"Read
it yourself" Lithônien pulled a rolled up paper from his sleeves, he
had to have hidden pockets in those wide, loose things, and flung it
towards Xander. </div>
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They unrolled it, and read it together in perfect silence until Bly gasped. </div>
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"No...not the girls" </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Lithônien
took it back, "We've decided to skip going to Revelin and move on
towards Aragathia, where we will hopefully meet their army already in
the first wave of attack. but we will need to up our pace, so we are
moving out tonight" </div>
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Xander nodded, and the Elvish scholar walked away. </div>
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And Bly began shaking as if a cold wind had touched her. </div>
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"Xander...I'm frightened. Why are they capturing them? None of them are extremely important political figures*" </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
It didn't make sense. Felix and Andromeda had to have a motive...</div>
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The conversation he had overheard surfaced his memory. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Did it have something to do with that? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
"I
don't know, Bly. I don't know. but we will free them, alright? If I
know Adonis and Nithron at all, they won't rest until they get them
back" </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Bly nodded and dried her eyes, "And Prid" </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
While Xander hasn't seen much of the half lion, he nodded, "and Prid". </div>
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But something inside him warned, something bad was about to happen. </div>
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Something dark and evil. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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*Bly doesn't know who Kaymele is. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
ashley tahghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15995046172185384734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792052428746971302.post-84898597735252779612013-08-07T07:36:00.000-07:002013-08-07T07:36:17.785-07:00Nithron (part 2 of maybe 3)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wES_DKHztUD2IfJ9xD10nwJFQ8Xrq_xsgGaXCQyuCir1pmqnIX6mZ9qSTaumSf-k5u5q7F7PcWuyL0Yppd5q1XHOvlR9aeR48TsFuvEYTwsmvAZG02eFtAdYgPldShRgNhXB1pQPhChO/s1600/71889545e037120a0b7aee857aaaf799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wES_DKHztUD2IfJ9xD10nwJFQ8Xrq_xsgGaXCQyuCir1pmqnIX6mZ9qSTaumSf-k5u5q7F7PcWuyL0Yppd5q1XHOvlR9aeR48TsFuvEYTwsmvAZG02eFtAdYgPldShRgNhXB1pQPhChO/s1600/71889545e037120a0b7aee857aaaf799.jpg" height="359" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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The world seems to tilt and reel every time I move my head. I slowly roll onto my back, every muscle tight from lying in one place for so long. Aside from a few bruises, a broken arrow in my arm, and a gash in my left calf I'm pretty well off. Accept for my head, and when I lift my hand to feel it, I see a three claw scratch across my forearm bleeding profusely. No doubt from the creatures we were fighting.</div>
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Smoke fills the sky with the remaining flames still burning as the camp grounds continues to smolder. Arrows, weapons, and bodies lie around me as I attempt to sit up. The world starts to spin again, so I lie back down, splashing my head into a puddle of mud and blood as the rain begins to fall again.</div>
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Two days ago, when the sky was blue, and all seemed to be the same as any other, the whole camp was preparing to leave to meet the Elves. Nairi, Nuvole, and Kaymele were getting better with everyday. Nairi was actually able to help with some of the packing, before Anakis saw her and ordered her back to bed. Though still very ill, four days after the Slasher Vine attack, Kaymele was able to sit and stay awake. The fever she had was no more, and most of what remained of her wounds was either covered in bandages or healing rapidly into scars that would never fade. I visited her as often as I could, and every time she had dazed look on her face.</div>
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'What troubles you?' I said brushing back a loose strand of hair.</div>
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'I don't know if I can explain it, but lately I have seen what I guess to be the future. And from what I can see, it won't be long before we must face the enemy,' she said quietly.</div>
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'Well I think that is very certain, is that all that troubles you?'</div>
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'No, it's just something in the air. It feels heavy, like the weight of the world presses on this one spot. But never mind that now, I have something to tell you, and something I wish to give to you,'</div>
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'Tell me anything,' I said.</div>
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'I am getting better with every day that passes, and the troops leave tomorrow. I still wish to join you in the battle,' I started to object but she continued, 'and if I were to perhaps die in battle, I want you to have my journal.' she said holding it out.</div>
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'Oh, Kaymele I couldn't, and besides you aren't going to die because you're not going into battle,'</div>
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'What?!' </div>
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'It was decided that you, Nairi, and Natia are to stay behind,' I admit as I rubbed the back of my neck.</div>
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'You can't make me stay behind,' she said stubbornly.</div>
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'It was not my decision, Beleg said you're too weak to go into battle against Felix,' I said sternly.</div>
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'Oh I'll show him weak,' she stood up and started to walk out of the room but fell after two steps. Luckily I caught her, and gently lifted her back into her bed.</div>
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'Now, you see. You can't even walk yet, and you want to go into battle. I can't let you Kaymele, you're far to precious to me,' I said as I ran my fingers through her hair.</div>
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After that we talked no more about dying, or the battle at hand. Before the people were gathered I visited Kaymele briefly. She said nothing, just wrote in her journal fervently as if any moment she would be forced to stop. When I thought I could stay there no longer I started to stand from my stool, but she grabbed my wrist and held it surprisingly tight. Her eyes were glazed over and wide open, looking almost like she'd gone mad.</div>
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'They're coming,' she whispered.</div>
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The next day, we gathered the people in the center of the camp. Only those who were ill or too old to join us were omitted from attending. Beleg stood at the front of the crowd with his long list of men who were to fight. A breeze from the southeast was starting to blow in a slowly gathering mass of dark clouds. Beleg started reading names faster so as to get the people back into the tents and buildings before it started raining. But the faster he read the faster the clouds seemed to approach, looking more ominous the closer they got. Before he was even halfway done with the list, the first drops of rain started falling. By this time Beleg had stopped calling out full names, and the men who already knew their names were on the list started lining up. The rain started falling harder now, and most everyone was now drenched in rain. I was already in place when the first arrow flew through the air and struck the man beside me. </div>
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'RUN, ARM YOURSELVES!' I shouted above the noise of the rain.</div>
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Most of the people heard me, and the message spread rapidly. No sooner had everyone started running, the piercing screech of a dragon was heard above us. The rain was now in sheets and it was nearly impossible to see two feet in front of you. From behind us several dragons must have landed, and were breathing fire onto whatever was in their path. Another battle cry was heard from the left almost in a whisper but Nuvole was closer, he used the rainwater and shot a giant ball of water into the general location of the sound. Something hissed and it was soon clear we had other things to worry about besides the army of dragons. Something dark like a shadow moved, and along with the rain the sky filled with hundreds of arrows. Shields went up as the arrows descended, we were helpless. Far off you could hear the screams of women as the arrows entered their bodies, children wandering around calling out for their parents, infants crying out for their mother's who will never come. Everything seems to be moving in slow motion, and I can hear my heart beating that seems to echo around the camp. I hear Adonis's voice shouting at me to turn around, and as I do a shadowy figure emerges from the rain. Clothed in a tattered cape, and with a skull for it's face. The creature charged at me with it's sword lifted high, I meet it with a defensive upward stroke. We fight for what seems like an hour but was really about five minutes, when I got a clean thrust at it's chest, and it falls to the ground dead. The next one is upon me before I can catch my breath. I soon found out that this new creature had claws on it's right hand that projected from it's wrist. It lashed out with it's claws, I ducked and swung my sword at it's legs, which it easily jumped over.</div>
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The rain was letting up, and I was close to defeating this last opponent when I hear a cry from above. Not the cry of a dragon, or of the many people lying around me dying, but one of terror and I recognized it far too well. My sword ran the creature through, and I look up to see a cage large enough to hold ten men at the least, and beside it riding a dragon yet not a dragon, as it was made of what seemed to be smoke, Lady Andromeda. Her chin held high, and a victorious smile upon her lips. A dragon approached her and the cage, someone else was already inside it looked like Anakis, but in the talons of the dragon, knocked unconscious, was Kaymele. The scream was hers, and for some reason she was taken prisoner of Andromeda. She was flung into the cage with such a clatter that the cage tilted slightly. I was distracted for too long, when something or someone hit me from behind and I remember no more until now. </div>
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'<i>She's gone,'</i></div>
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<i></i> Soon it becomes clear that I'm not the only one alive. Movement amongst the bodies start happening from all areas of the camp. I search the camp for Prid, Adonis, Percy, Nuvole, or Beleg. Apparently the creatures were told not to kill just to disable and capture, but the dragons were told differently. Slowly I make it to my feet, and start helping others to the infirmary. After the bodies are gathered, counted, and either burned or buried we count our losses. Four hundred and thirty six (436) dead, many soldiers, women, and children. Countless others wounded, very few are expected to make full recovery in time. Natia, poor dear, has had to try healing with what little knowledge she has been taught, by Anakis, about healing. Though she tries very hard, she's not the expert that Anakis is. No one knows where she's gone too, but I think I have a pretty good idea. I remember that Kaymele is not here either, but captured by Andromeda, and I know I saw her face in the cage. This information needed to be taken to Beleg, so I force myself to go to him. </div>
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His tent was slightly burned in the battle but it still stands. Many people are gathered outside, some shouting terrible things about him and his plans, and others throwing mud and charred bits of whatever they could get their hands on. I carefully work my way to the front of the crowd.</div>
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'People, go back to your tents, or back to the infirmary,' I pause to make sure they're listening, 'This was to be a proud day, that has been turned into a nightmare by those we strive against. It is not Beleg that is to be blamed, it is the cruel tyrant of a king that rules this land that sent those creatures to kill our friends and family. And now we are to fight, not just for freedom, but for the men, women, and children that have died today. This is the future of Incantevole if we allow Felix to reign,' I shout for all to hear.</div>
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'He's right,' says Percy, who has a black eye and a wounded shoulder, 'you are blaming the wrong person. Go, return to your families, and tell them of the bright tomorrow that will one day come.'</div>
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A low rumble of conversation rolls through the crowd, and slowly they depart. Some still grumbling, and others with their heads hung in shame. I look towards Percival, and he gives me a wink.</div>
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'Good to see you're still with us,' I say slapping his good shoulder.</div>
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'Yes, and you. We have so many wounded, and Anakis is no where to be found. And I haven't seen Adonis, or Prid since the fight started,' he says.</div>
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'I was just about to report the missing. Kaymele was taken prisoner, and I fear the same for Anakis,' I say walking into the tent.</div>
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Beleg was inside sitting on his chair with a cloth pressed to his head. Prid was also inside, his eyes wide and skin pale enough that anyone would think he had seen a ghost.</div>
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'What are we going to do?' asks Prid.</div>
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'I don't know, all I can say for now is that we can search but there's no guarantee that we will find her,' says Beleg.</div>
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'You speak of Anakis, do you not?' I ask.</div>
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'Yes, do you know her whereabouts?' </div>
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'I think I saw her being taken prisoner of Andromeda. I know this because I saw Kaymele also being taken,' I say.</div>
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The tent flap is sent flying open as Adonis comes charging in. His face is bruised, and the rest of him is covered in cuts, one cut in particular was quite deep and ran across his chest. His face is red, very red, almost the same shade as his hair.</div>
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'They took Nairi!' he spits out.</div>
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'They also took Anakis and Kaymele,' says Prid.</div>
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'But why would they need to do that?' asks Adonis.</div>
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'I wish we knew,' I say putting my head in my hands.</div>
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'We have to do something,' says Adonis banging his fist on the table.</div>
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'Right now we must meet up with the Elves. They are very knowledgable about these sorts of things and maybe they know why these three ladies were taken.' says Beleg.</div>
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We all look to one another, what else could we do, and together we planned the journey to meet our allies.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06661127746422279825noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792052428746971302.post-63140142684102492222013-07-24T13:38:00.001-07:002013-07-25T05:51:51.644-07:00Adonis (Part 5)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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"I won't let
you take her!" I shouted as I transformed and raced after the dragon who
had just snatched Nairi up in its claws. My Uncle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why is he doing this? The dragons had
maintained neutrality throughout the war? What could have changed?<br />
"Adonis!" Nairi called out to me. The wind rushing over me was
deafening. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had never flown this fast
in my life. But with all my speed, I still couldn’t catch my uncle before he
thrust the cage door shut, imprisoning Nairi. I rammed my uncle with such force
I nearly lost consciousness, and we went tumbling out of the sky towards the
hard ground.<br />
The impact of the earth against my back forced me back into human form. I leapt
up onto my feet intending to fly up and destroy the cage. I couldn’t let them
take her again. A calm, cold voice from behind me paralyzed me mid leap "We
meet again after all these years, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Boy</i>."
His cold voice echoed in my mind, awakening all the anger, all the hatred, all
the pain I had ever felt because of this one man. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed to flow through my body straight to
my fist and I lobbed a huge ball of fire straight at him.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He dodged just in time and laughed,
"Foolish boy, you think you can beat me do you? You think that just
because you are older you have the power to defeat me? You, the child of a
human, a disgrace to the dragons."<br />
"Shut up!" I yelled, anger pulsing within me. "You have no right
to talk to me. You, who lied to me all these years. You, who killed my parents
for power. You, who cast me out and disowned me. And you have just made one of
the biggest mistakes of your life."<br />
"Oh, and what would that be, little nephew?"<br />
"That <i>Uncle,</i> is you have just taken the one thing I care about, the
one thing I cherish, the one thing I love in this world anymore and thrown her
in a cage to be taken away for whatever reason, and I will not let you off for
that!" As soon as I said the words I knew they were true. Nairi really was
that important to me, and the thought of having her hurt anymore made me furious.<br />
My Uncle laughed, "You have <i>feelings </i>for the little Ceridwen girl?
That is so...weak." He looked at me with such cold eyes that it was hard
to believe he was actually my father’s brother, that he was related to me in
anyway.<br />
"Uncle Malum, I will not let you take anything important to me <i>ever </i>again."
As the last word escaped my lips we were suddenly dragons once again charging
each other. It seemed like we fought for hours I would knock him to the ground
and he would do the same to me. Claws ripped through scales, teeth broke pierced
flesh, and fire raged through the forest that we had landed in. With a stroke
of luck I swung my claw and slashed a line from his brow to his cheek. Blood
filled his left eye. In his moment of blindness I reared up and cut a deep gash
in his underbelly with my other hand. He roared in pain and knocked me to the
earth. The combination of my fatigue and the impact of my body slamming into
the ground forced me back to human form.<br />
"This," my Uncle rumbled, holding his injured eye shut. "Is
where you will die, <i>Nephew</i>." He raised his claw to finish me, but
there was a loud trumpeting roar from over where the battle between the rebels
and the dragons was raging.<br />
My Uncle looked at me, "You have lucked out today, boy. Next time I
promise, you will not be so lucky." And with that he soared off. I watched
him fly over to where the sorceress hovered. And there, next to her the floated
that hideous cage. All I could think of in that moment, laying there out of
breath, was that I had failed. I had failed at saving her. But also in that
moment was the burning desire to get her back. No matter what I faced I would
save her. I would save Nairi.</div>
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->Kathrine Hatterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18094944521758691210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792052428746971302.post-67061828026718139572013-07-15T17:08:00.000-07:002013-08-19T15:36:32.551-07:00Anakis (Part 6)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
I awoke in a cold, dark cell. One of my wings were throbbing, and my limbs were chained. I gingerly touched the wing. Broken, of course. She looked about her. There was Nairi, sharing a cell with her. She too was chained up.<br />
"Nairi?" I whispered. I didn't know her very well, and I was a bit frightened to speak. "Where are we?"<br />
Nairi looked startled. "You actually speak?" I shot her a look. "We were captured by Andromeda. You were passed out the whole time."<br />
I seemed to remember a bit of something. "Yes...something grabbed me and..." I winced. "It hurt my wing and broke it. Did it get anything else?"<br />
Nairi nodded. "It got Kaymele. And me, obviously. It does hurt. They compleatly dug into all of our backs." She stretched a bit, showing several deep wounds along her sholders.<br />
A sickening feeling came over me as I realized that Nairi and I were all alone, and Kaymele was nowhere to be found. No one I really knew was there to comfort me. I had no idea what would happen next. I began to tremble. "I feel quite worried."<br />
Nairi's brow furrowed. "I am too. Adonis must be sick with worry. I hope he wasn't captured as well." Nairi continued to ramble as I thought.<br />
<i>Prid isn't really sane without me. He gets all panicy. I'm really all that he loves, and when I'm not there...oh, I shudder to think of it. He must be going crazy.</i> When I finally tuned in to Nairi, I found that she felt the exact same way about Adonis. I reached for her hand.<br />
"We must trust. I'm sure they'll be alright."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792052428746971302.post-72492258800842349722013-07-11T18:24:00.000-07:002013-07-11T18:24:14.329-07:00Andromeda {part 4}<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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"Is anything left to puzzle you?" Andromeda's hands gripped the sides of the makeshift table that had been provided her. <br />
<div>
The men around her murmured in the negative; her battle plans were flawless. All were clad in armor of shimmering, scale like material that varied in color for each man, ranging from brilliant reds to earthy copper, green the color of a tree snake to the color of the Tawarthion foliage. </div>
<div>
"Very well" she rolled up the Leather map she had brought along, and tucked into a special pack that hung from the waistline of her dark red and black dress. "Gather the forces, prepare them for the final stage of our attack on Revelin" she scanned the group of leaders around her, the smell of musty smoke filled the tent "and the rebels". </div>
<div>
The men bowed their heads and filed out, the sound of their strong, deep voices coming back to her as the arranged the forces under their lead. </div>
<div>
"My Lady" </div>
<div>
Andromeda turned, and lifted one eyebrow as she beheld the man before her, the only one to remain in the tent. </div>
<div>
"Yes, Malum?" </div>
<div>
Like the others, he wore the same shimmering armor, but while the other's had been a solitary color or shade, his was an arrangement of golds, reds, oranges and yellows. resulting in a uniform that clearly marked him as different. </div>
<div>
"I inquire about my bargain with the lady, and whether she still plans to uphold it" </div>
<div>
ah, of course. </div>
<div>
Andromeda pressed her lips together, and crossed her arms, "Remind me of our bargain, as it seems to have slipped my mind" </div>
<div>
Malum's posture never changed, but his lit in a glint of slight fury. It had been hard to gain the man's allegiance, and even then, it hadn't come without having to compromise something to him. </div>
<div>
Of course, the compromise was nothing to Andromeda. he had wanting something that she had no need for anyway. But just the fact that she had had to bargain with him was infuriating. she much preferred being obeyed without handing something over in return. </div>
<div>
but she couldn't very well just kill him and be over with it, for his kind would have rejected her leading of them, and he hadn't wanted something important anyway, so she had granted his desires, and ruled his people through him. </div>
<div>
"I want the half dragon, Adonis. no other shall set hand or claw upon him, but myself" </div>
<div>
a laugh bubbled up with Andromeda, but she stilled it, saved it for later. </div>
<div>
"and why in all of Incantevole would you desire the life of a simple half dragon? what threat is he to you?" </div>
<div>
Malum's hands clenched at his sides, and his face twisted into a grimace, "It is private business that I have to desire to recount. but you promised him to me in return for my, our, allegiance to you, and the king, of course" </div>
<div>
His tone carried a threat, if she didn't uphold her side of their bargain, he would withdraw his allegiance and that of his men. </div>
<div>
It made Andromeda summer inside. </div>
<div>
That she had to please this man in order to have his followers of despicable, and entirely not her style. </div>
<div>
"Very well" she shrugged nonchalantly. "I have no need of his life, except one" </div>
<div>
she drew a crystal vial out of the pouch her map was in, and tossed it towards Malum. </div>
<div>
"Fill it with his tears". </div>
<div>
"My lady?" Malum caught it in a fluid moment, and looked at it with wonder, and confusion. </div>
<div>
She repositioned the wide neckline of her dress, and walked towards the entrance of her tent, "I said fill it with his tears" </div>
<div>
"but why-"</div>
<div>
"It is private business that I have no desire to recount" she copied his former words, and brushed past him to the outdoors beyond her tent flap. </div>
<div>
The delightful smell of charred lands greeted her like a warm embrace of home. She closed her eyes, not paying attention as Malum passed on her right, giving her glares that might frighten a normal individual. </div>
<div>
It smelled heavenly, this land that was the charred remains of Afriki. </div>
<div>
She hasn't realized what a haven she had made when she had ordered it burned to the ground. </div>
<div>
"Oh, but that all of Incantevole was this lovely" she whispered, inhaling a deep breath of the smoke still floating about. </div>
<div>
"Lady Andromeda" one of Malum's men roused her from her delighted daydreaming of a land entirely nothing but flame aftermath, and she sighed, giving him a look that clearly told she was most certainly <i>not</i> pleased with his interruption. </div>
<div>
"what is it?" </div>
<div>
he bowed his head and gestured towards the soldiers, her army, lined up to heed her orders. </div>
<div>
She roved her eyes over the ranks; the higher officials, Malum at it's head, stood in front, and the ones with lesser ranking, stood in the back. </div>
<div>
to the common eye, it was a small army, only 200 at it's best, but 200 of such kind as she had gathered was plenty. </div>
<div>
They all awaited her orders, solders garbed in shimmering scales, both men and woman mingled, all fierce and ready to destroy. </div>
<div>
Victory was sure. </div>
<div>
Andromeda smiled, and created a surge of smoke to lift her a couple feet higher, causing her to tower just above the heads of the gathered fighters, so they had to look up slightly to view her. </div>
<div>
"We reach Revelin today" </div>
<div>
her words caused a pleased rustle among the group. </div>
<div>
"However, as much as we all, including myself, would delight in its entire destruction, we cannot allow that to happen. not yet. our objective for this battle is capturing key traitors" </div>
<div>
After today, she would be so much closer to saving Felix. </div>
<div>
The army seemed to breathe a massive sigh, apparently they did not share her joy at simply capturing Rebels. </div>
<div>
"I have given each corp leader a person to capture and bring to me, those under their leader must assist in the capture. They guarded heavily, so don't balk at slaying anyone who is in your way, and..." a smile lit her face, even she couldn't resist the urge, "we might as well have fun, so, if there is some extra destruction of their base, anything to weaken them, I won't be found complaining" </div>
<div>
She waited for the cheer to settle down, and continued, "and so, rise my warriors, let us attack from the skies, victory will be ours!" </div>
<div>
The cheer that rose from their throats changed in pitch, as the scale armor clad warriors' changed form. </div>
<div>
The armor convulged and stretched, and the air filled with growls and snarls. </div>
<div>
Her dragon army was ready. </div>
<div>
A red dragon, his scales shimmering as if gold were also mixed in with it, lifted into in the air in a fluid movement, and the rest followed, the skies filled with a frightening number of bloodthirsty beasts. </div>
<div>
Andromeda grinned, and with a flick of her hand, the smoke pillar beneath her vibe rated before changing its own form into a black smoke dragon, much like the one she had sent after the party heading into Voronwë. </div>
<div>
It joined the real dragons in the air, and she sat astride it, "and now, let us conquer!" </div>
<div>
She pulled a strand of fire from one palm into the other, and shot it down into the earth, resulting in a massive boom, and the dragons surged forward, and on to Revelin. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
-------------------</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The rebels hadnt been expecting their attack, but, being in the position of opposition, they were prepared for any attacks. </div>
<div>
Andromeda watched from above Revelin as her dragon army laid waste to the city. </div>
<div>
She had wanted to join them below, but it was as if the creatures had gone into a bloodlust, snapping their jaws and clawing at anything with a human form. </div>
<div>
And she wasn't entirely sure if she would excluded from their mad razing. Of course, they were also doing a splendid job of destruction, and it was pleasant to simply watch and fire firebombs into Revelin from time to time. </div>
<div>
One corp had already reported back, the leader carrying a unconscious fairy in its claws with remarkably gentleness. </div>
<div>
Andromeda had formed a floating smoke cage, and deposited the blond fairy in it, allowing the dragon to return to destroying. </div>
<div>
Now she looked back at the black cage, and the still unconscious fairy, the pulsing of her colors showed that the girl was still alive, just in extreme shock. It didn't matter, as long as she lived, what was shock and injury? </div>
<div>
A scream wafted up, and Andromeda tore her eyes away as another dragon snatched up another girl. </div>
<div>
Ceridwen, good. </div>
<div>
Malum was her capturer, and he quickly brought her up to Andromeda. </div>
<div>
"The Ceridwens, as you requested, Lady Andromeda" he spoke, the sound being gravely and deep from his Dragon throat. </div>
<div>
"wonderful" Andromeda opened the door to the smoke cage, and Malum swung her into it, the girl tumbling onto the floor next to the fairy. </div>
<div>
Surprisingly, the Ceridwen was still awake, and fighting, if the way she pounded against the smoke formed bars was any evidence. </div>
<div>
"She put up a fight, she's little but hardly easy to take" Malum growled, and his red eyes narrowed at the little tigeress. </div>
<div>
"Im not little! and once I get out, you'll be sorry!" the Ceridwen shouted, as she reached through the bars, not even coming close to reaching Malum or Andromeda. </div>
<div>
It was almost entertaining. </div>
<div>
A deep roar caused both Andromeda and her Dragon warrior to turn their attention away as a Younger red dragon lifted from below, and rammed into Malum. </div>
<div>
he was smaller, and his red was a single color, unlike Malum's mingled gold, but he was magnificent in his own way. </div>
<div>
Malum twisted in the air just before the two crashed into the ground, causing the attacking dragon to fall first. </div>
<div>
The Ceridwen sucked in her breath sharply, and ceased her futile escape antics to watch with a pale face. </div>
<div>
"know him, do you?" </div>
<div>
Andromeda moved closer to the cage, and the Ceridwen glared without moving her eyes from the dragon vs. dragon fight going on below. </div>
<div>
"I don't have to answer you, witch" </div>
<div>
For some reason, that prompted a laugh, and the Ceridwen girl's fingers tightened on the bars. </div>
<div>
"Witch, am I?" </div>
<div>
but it seems the girl was through talking, and Andromeda took to studying the girl. </div>
<div>
She looked familiar, but in an odd way. </div>
<div>
Her facial features, the way her eyes sharpened, and her mouth pressed in a thin line while worriedly watching Malum and the younger dragon fight seemed very similar to someone Andromeda had seen before...</div>
<div>
but she couldn't place who. </div>
<div>
"We have the mermaid" a snarl from behind stole Andromeda's attention, and she turned, facing a dark green dragon holding another unconscience girl. </div>
<div>
The female dragon's claws had sunk into the mermaid's shoulders, causing a deep wounds which blood flowed freely from. </div>
<div>
The girl was injured, but still alive, and that was the important thing. </div>
<div>
The female dragon moved towards the smoke cage, causing the Ceridwen to gasp when she saw the condition of the Mermaid. </div>
<div>
As the finale girl was tossed into the cage, the Ceridwen girl scuttled over, and gently moved her head to her lap. It was so sweet. </div>
<div>
and pathetic. </div>
<div>
"Call up the corps, the Elf is not in Revelin, and so our duty here is done" Androneda ordered, and the female dragon complied, her roar splitting the air. The dragons below looked up in unison before joining them in the air. </div>
<div>
Malum joined by her side, and Andromeda gave him a once over. </div>
<div>
His side had a deep gash that was bleeding rather profusely, and a claw's slash across his eye was going to leave a rather unforgettable scar, and perhaps blind him, but otherwise, he seemed uninjured, escpecially compared to the almost pulverized younger dragon. </div>
<div>
"Move out" Andromeda shouted, and the female dragon repeated it louder. </div>
<div>
After crossing a few miles, Andromeda again turned to Malum. </div>
<div>
"Is he dead?" </div>
<div>
She sensed the Ceridwen lean closer against the cage to hear the reply. </div>
<div>
Malum's wings beat the air a bit more violently before growling, "No. not yet. if I had a few seconds more, perhaps. and maybe he will die yet. When he awakes, he will be in a poor condition" </div>
<div>
the Ceridwen beat her fists against the bars, "if you've killed Adonis, I'll, I'll, I'll...." she trailed her sentence off, and looked at her unconscience friends behind her before slumping to the floor. </div>
<div>
Andromeda grinned. </div>
<div>
good. </div>
<div>
a defeated soul would be easier to handle. </div>
</div>
ashley tahghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15995046172185384734noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792052428746971302.post-67793286650249074682013-06-26T11:47:00.002-07:002013-06-26T11:47:19.206-07:00a word from Xander and Bly about technical things they don't understand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
She looked nervous, but, of course she was, she had been asked (ordered, rather. Lithonien wouldn't be happy to hear of her being ordered to do something like this) by her Author to aid the mystery people of what was to take place in a few short days, and, she truly was a bit confused by the whole thing herself.<br />
But Xander was here, his fingers entwined with hers as he sat by her side, surely he knew more about this than she did. She exchanged a glance with him that left her less assured in that fact.<br />
"So, it has come to our attention, or rather, to the attention of our writer, that..." Bly trailed off, and again looked up at Xander, who smiled encouragingly and picked up where she had left, "There seems to be this device called 'google friend connect' that will be reaching the end of it's....lifetime?"<br />
Bly bit her lip, "It was not under my impression that it was alive to begin with, perhaps...more like...the end of it's..." she sighed, "We'll just stick with lifetime"<br />
Xander nodded and cleared his throat before continuing, "So, it is ending, and, apparently mystery people use it to watch us"<br />
"thats eerie" Bly shivered, and Xander nodded gravely, "how do they constantly see what we are doing? I find it disturbing. What if they were to leak our plans to Felix?"<br />
Bly's eyes grew wide with fright, "Would they do that?"<br />
"We can only pray that Yahweh holds the Author back from such actions"<br />
There was a moment of silence as they took in what a threat these people could be be, these strangers in the sky who read of their every move. <br />
"Where we we?" Xander spoke first, and it prompted a smile, even a hesitant one, from Bly, "I think we were at...oh, we were at the part right before we said..." she frowned, "I'm not entirely sure"<br />
Xander laughed this time, "Very well, than, I shall skip ahead and hope we don't miss any details. From what has been explained to me, and, you must understand, it was scarce, as the Author mentioned something about 'destruction of the time line' and, some weird words like 'wibbily wobbily' and said if she explained too much, it would ruin the Aragathian time era, but, that is also puzzling to me" <br />
Bly nodded in quick agreement, it was all rather complicated. What did the words 'wibbily wobbily' mean? She should see, later, if Lithonien had come upon such terms in his studies.<br />
"I went off on a rabbit trail again, pardon, but, from what I understand, this Google Friend Connect device is dying, and that, with it's demise, you Mysterious ones will lose the ability to follow our lives"<br />
He mumbled something under his breath, but even Bly didn't entirely catch what it was he said.<br />
"And, the Author wanted us to help you to awareness of a new device, or...was it new, Bly? Or was it simply undiscovered?"<br />
"I think it was discovered, just not often used, that is, if my understanding is to be trusted" Bly spoke now, gripping Xander's hand as she did, "I believe it was called Bloglovin, which, is confusing, what is a blog?"<br />
"Yes, we know what loving is"<br />
Bly pushed Xander's shoulder gently, her face heating up to the tips of her pointed ears, and pleading under her breath for him to remain discreet.<br />
She seemed to have problems focusing her thoughts after that, and so Xander took over, still grinning from his remark, "The Authoress said something about, to the right, on the sidebar, and around the Google friend connect gadget. her message must have been in strange code for you Mystery People, since I literally do not understand a word of it. What and where is a sidebar? How could the blogloving be near the Google friend connect? I don't understand, and frankly, I am not going to try to. I have other things, like, how I will possibly bring about my great uncle's demise to think on" <br />
"Thats awkward, to think Felix is your great uncle" Bly's voice was barely above a whisper, as it seems she was still recovering from her embarrassment.<br />
"No more awkward than your older brother being madly in love with my grandmother" Xander looked down at her, and Bly had to smile.<br />
Elvish time lines were all very complicated in the long wrong, they weren't at all normal.<br />
Your brother could easily have been young and alive during the time your true love's grandmother was still a maiden unwed.<br />
It was, when one thought about it...<br />
all so...<br />
<br />
wibbily wobbily.<br />
<br />
{Note from Author:<br />
Bly and Xander did try their best, but I fear they probably didn't understand enough of their topic to make their point come across clearly, so, i shall speak in simple, short terms for you.<br />
1-Google Friend Connect, the thing you all use to follow this, and probably every other blog you are interested in, is going away monday. <br />
2-But, never fear, for like a valiant knight, bloglovin is prepared to rescue us all!<br />
3- If you are interested in following Incantevole Tales via bloglovin (of course you are), than look to the right for a little blue gadget.<br />
4- do be a dear and click it.<br />
5-otherwise, Adonis might be angry at losing followers.<br />
6-and thats never good.}<br />
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ashley tahghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15995046172185384734noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792052428746971302.post-72999747195864792332013-06-11T20:10:00.000-07:002013-06-11T20:10:42.736-07:00Bly {Part 8}<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>"Today is the last day the Voronwë army will remain in the city. As soon as the sun rises in the morning, they shall march. Xander rides with my people, and Lithônien has informed us that he too plans on taking sword and fighting. I know that it has nothing to do with him feeling as if were his duty to help fight evil as much as it is he is seeking revenge for our brother. <br />
I pray to Yahweh that Thalion yet lives, but I fear I must prepare myself for the worst. <br />
Mother is distraught, and Father is staying behind to care for her, but as a councilman, he cannot risk death in fighting. <br />
This world I once looked upon as full of wonder and delight has suddenly turned darker, my childlike eyes have been opened, and I see now that every cloud might have it's silver lining, but it also has it's dark rumblings. <br />
Should my brother and Xander, whom I love and yet cannot confess my feelings for, do not return, I do not know how I will continue. I desire this war to end, so none may die, however, I desire more that it had never started, and so Tenzin and Thalion would both be safe, and whole"</i></div>
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She closed her little leather book, and set it on a shelf near the little writing table, and stopped up her ink well before rising and shaking out her blue skirts. <br />
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She wanted to find Xander, but if she spoke with him now, it would only make the parting in the morning come harder. <br />
She realized the house was quiet, and she left her room. Her Mother was no where to be found, and so Bly decided to head towards the stables. Ciar and Rudy had been left primarily on their own since Bly had brought Xander to them. However, when she reached the place they had been housed, she was told that they had been moved to the palace where they had been given individual stables. She thanked the stable hand, and strolled idly through the streets. She was acknowledged by her people, a bow of the head, and the honored title of Lady Ambassador spoken in reverent tones as she passed. <br />
How had so much changed in such short time? Mere months ago, she had just been Tenzin's lowly apprentice, hardly noticed, like a shadow. And now, her people honoured her, bowed their heads to her, and halted in whatever duty they were busy in as she passed, continuing it only when she was out of sight. <br />
She continued walking until she found herself standing on the shores of the bay, staring out into the shining waters with the gentle lapping of the waves upon the rocks easing her soul. <br />
"As it seems you aren't going to acknowledge my presence, I suppose I'll just go" she jumped as Xander's voice teased her from behind, and turned quickly, tucking a strand of blond hair behind her ear as the wind snatched at it. <br />
"I do beg forgiveness, M'Lord" she colored in a soft blush, and watched in dismay as Xander's smile weakened. <br />
"I really do wish you'd drop the formality, Bly" <br />
"I, I'm sorry..." She clenched her hands in front of her at her waist, and looked down at her boots. <br />
There was a silence between them for a moment, and then Xander pulled her into his arms, holding her close in one precious moment. Her heart fluttered as he kissed the top of her head, and continued to hold her. <br />
The wind blew around them, and her long hair was played with the impish fingers of the wind, and she shivered slightly. Though, more from a rapture of sudden joy than actual cold. <br />
Finally, Xander tilted her chin upwards to look at him, and she blushed a rosy pink, realizing their closeness. <br />
"Don't ever be sorry, Bly. I love you as you are, everything about you is beautiful, even that color tinting your face; in fact I could kiss you right now, but I'm not entirely sure if that's the proper behavior for a heired King" <br />
Bly blushed deeper, and looked back down, hoping to hide the rich red her face was turning. "Xander" how good it was to say his name again, the old familiarity between them returning. But no, it wasn't the same. It was different. It was a better feeling than what they had before, it wasn't just friendship, it was...more. <br />
His fingers replaced the wind, and gently ran through her hair, "yes?" <br />
She gripped his tunic, steeling herself, forcing courage, "Xander, I....I...you, you are....the way...." She closed her eyes tightly, "Xander I love you" her heart had been pounding in nervousness, but as the words left her tongue, she felt at peace, and as calm as one of the clouds above head that were beginning to be painted hues of red by the sunset. <br />
For a moment, he was silent, and she began to feel worried, and looked up at him, only to find his green eyes already watching her. <br />
He didn't need to speak, she could see it in them, his answer, his reply, his emotions were so clearly written in those perfect eyes, and yet he did. <br />
"And Bly, you are my very life. I believe I have loved you since I first saw you in Felix's dungeon. I just didn't know I loved you yet. And each time I see you now, my heart aches to hold you. Each time I see you worry, I desire to fight your fears for you, and Bly....my beloved Bly..." <br />
And then, he did kiss her, caring little for the ways a king, or prince, should act, he did kiss her right upon the shores of the Väneesë bay. And she was taken by surprise, but slowly kissed him back. <br />
And she knew there would be no parting from him in that moment and for eternity.<br />
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Their moment broke quite suddenly, and was mainly caused by someone clearing their throat behind them, "I really do hate to break this intimate moment between the future King of Aragathia and my sister, but the said future ruler has been requested to join the troops for battle plans" Lithônien stood a few feet behind them, his hands clasped behind his back, and his eyebrows arched in a manner that implied he wasn't entirely pleased with what he had witnessed.<br />
Bly stepped away from Xander, and cast her eyes down to the ground, a blush deeper then all it's predecessors heating her face. She had no words, not even an apology to her elder brother. She wasn't sorry she had kissed Xander, though, Lithônien's manner suggested that perhaps she should be.<br />
Xander nodded once at the head scholar, though Bly's downward gaze didn't catch it, and he took her hand gently.<br />
"This might be goodbye until I return"<br />
Bly looked up, and curled her fingers around his, bringing his hand close to her heart, "Don't be so dramatic, Xander" she forced a unsteady smile to her face, "Besides, I've decided, I'm going with you to Aragathia"<br />
When she had decided that, she couldn't tell, it just seemed like the only option now. There was no possible way she could stay behind in Voronwë, not knowing how he fared, or being there to take care of him if he needed her.<br />
However, both Lithônien and Xander spoke at once, "No you are not" and both cast each other a certain look, that might have been humorous to Bly in any other time but now. <br />
"I am, and neither one of you can change my mind" Bly lifted her chin in what she hoped looked like stubbornness. <br />
"We can, however, lock you in your room like an ill behaved child. You are a lady, and a young one at that. A Battle is no place for you, Bly" Lithônien rolled his eyes, and began walking away.<br />
"I am the only Ambassador Voronwë has, Lithônien!" Bly glanced towards Xander, pleadingly, and then back at the retreating form of her opposing brother. "I must go, for the matters of state"<br />
Lithônien didn't reply, but Xander smiled faintly, "she does have a point. If Voronwë will be in need of an ambassador, it would cause quite a loss of time to have to send for her" <br />
Lithônien stopped, his hands clenching at his sides. <i>'he doesn't want me to go....though, in this matter, even as my eldest brother, he will not have a say'</i> <br />
Bly crossed her arms, trying to look taller, bigger, more important. "The Aragathian government will be starting anew, Lithônien. There will be treaties and politics; outside of the Councilmen, who cannot leave Voronwë in war times by oath, I am the only Elf equipped for such a task. I fear, this matter is outside of all of our hands. I am duty bound to go, and you have no right to interfere with this matter" <br />
Oh how good it was to be a states person. <br />
"Fine" Lithônien's reply was a low grumble, "But, you are also duty bound to remain safe. You must not come near the battle, but remain enough of a distance away to not be in harms way" Bly was giving herself a mental hug over her achievement, but her brother wasn't finished, "also, there will be a guard squad assigned to you. You are more than just a Ambassador's little pupil now, you are the sole ambassador and not to mention, Felix wanted you imprisoned for some reason. Your safety cannot be jeopardized" <br />
She nodded quickly, being sure to appear perfect obliged to his demands. <br />
Lithônien rolled his shoulders as if they ached, and started walking away again, not even bidding her a parting word. <br />
Xander smiled, and took her hands quickly, he looked as if he wanted to say a million things, and yet, couldn't get a single word out. <br />
"Y-you should probably go with him" she smiled at him, and brushed a dark strand out of his eyes. His hair was getting longer, and the slightly rough look fitted him. <br />
"I suppose I should" his eyes bore into hers, and his voice lacked the conviction it should have held. <br />
Bly giggled and shoved him gently, "Go, now. No reason to cause Lithônien further aggravation" <br />
"Right" he cleared his throat and stood as bit taller, "I'll...I'll be going then..." <br />
She waved as he ran off, a brilliant smile spreading over her lips. <br />
How wonderful it was to be in love with him. <br />
How wonderful it was to be loved by him.<br />
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ashley tahghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15995046172185384734noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792052428746971302.post-87954779925122567722013-06-11T20:01:00.000-07:002013-06-11T20:01:16.446-07:00Greven {Part one and maybe only}<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>How many days have I been down here? Or, should I count the weeks instead? I wonder if Xander and the Elven Ambassador safely reached Voronwë, or did they head to the rebel base? I hope my message reached Beleg in time, I'd hate to see Xander under suspicion, though, look at me. I have a lot to talk about. They had better be taking care of Ciar, if I find so much as one scratch on her, I'm going to be put off...That is, if I ever get to see her again...</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Such thoughts, swirling within his sub-conscience, filled his dreams, or was he awake? It was hard to tell, so dark was this cell. Were his eyes opened, or shut? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Was he dreaming of dark shadows that danced around him, shadows with snarling teeth and wet noses, or was it real? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">He wouldn't discredit it's factually. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Time passes strangely in dark, moldy cells deep under a castle. Sometimes, time passes slowly, and it feels as if he has been here for years. But other times, it seems that he was locked in these chains mere minutes ago. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nothing broke the monotone, nothing was changed. The jailer came once a day with bread and water, and left a single torch by the barred door. The light was just enough to see by, and it burned out in a few hours, and he was again left in the cold, shadows-with-teeth filled dark. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">He must've been dreaming this time, for the sound of the keys to the door of his cell rattling open awoke him. Curious, the jailer had already brought his food for the day, had Felix grown tired of feeding him and was bored for an execution? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The door creaked open, slowly and jerkingly, it needed a good oiling, but who cared about the upkeep of the cells? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Brought you a pal, traitor. Someone to chat with, maybe ya know each other, huh?" The Jailer grinned, and three soldiers drug in a chain wrapped man. They took him to a wall, and chained his hands to two rings protruding from the wall. Greven had been glad that he hadn't been chained to the wrist rings, but he now pitied the poor man who was forced into them. He looked so weak he could hardly stand, and his clothes were torn and bloody welts crossed his body. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Not a whips work...something more sharp......like a dragon's claws. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the soldiers cast him a pitying look, and Greven recognized the young man's face. One of his own men, one of the new enlists who had been practicing his archery the day Xander came out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The day everything had changed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The poor lad, he must be so young still, the two men he most admired, one defecting and at large, and the other one before him, chained and worn. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Quite your gaping, Joss" one of the other soldiers grabbed the boy's collar and shoved him out the door, and it locked again behind them. Thankfully, a new torch was left in the holder by the door, and it chased the strange shadows away. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Pleasure to meet your acquaintance, but, I'm sorry it was under these circumstances. The name is Greven" he nodded at the young man, and scaled him up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The fellow was a miniature giant, but wasn't bulky, more like a young tree. He wasn't scrawny; the dragon must've had it's own ailments in taking him captive. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"And I'm Thalion Uaine, of Voronwë" the words were spoken firmly, though weakness hunted at the edge of his voice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Greven rubbed his ears, and chuckled, "I'm sorry, I've been here for so long, I must be hearing things, would you repeat what you just said?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The fellow nodded, "I am Thalion Uaine. Of Voronwë" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So...he had heard right. But Voronwë? Another Elf captured? Had the attack began? Surely The Silver City hasn't fallen? Has the Elves joined arms with the Rebels? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">He voiced all these thoughts, and the Elf shook his head, "When I was taken, there was still discussion to enter this fight. I have no doubt that once, if, they discover my abduction they will enter the fight" The elf, Thalion, as he said his name was, paused, and breathed deeply. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">He wasn't in the best of health, his tunic was dyed red from wet blood, and his breathing was ragged. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Don't stress yourself, friend. Perhaps they will allow you to be unchained from the wall next time the Jailer makes his rounds" It was cruelty, keeping an injured man on his feet, but he couldn't remember Felix winning an award for kindness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"This, this cell...are most like this one?" Thalion spoke again, though it was in a weaker tone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If he isn't allowed to rest, he will die..... "yes. Some of the cells on the upper levels have windows, but aside from allowing faint light, they serve no aid or comfort. Prisoners aren't treated like guests in Voronwë" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thalion's hands clenched into fists and he glared at the ground, "would they keep a woman in such conditions?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Are you thinking of the Elvish Ambassador?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thalion looked amazed, and nodded once, "Bly, she....she is my sister" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Greven took a moment to process this, this giant was the brother of that small, dainty thing? And what jinx had been placed on that family to warrant capture twice?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">He decided to let his shock pass away unseen, "She too was kept in a cell much like this one. But only for a day or two. Xander, that foolish, big hearted idiot..." Greven felt a smile creep to his face, "Captain Bolivar was a dear friend of mine. In fact, I'm in this position because I gave aid to him and Lady Bly in their escape" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Greven spent the next minute filling Thalion with the escape, and his part in it. The elf smiled faintly when he spoke of Bly pushing him off of Ciar. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Sh-she is a spunky thing, despite not knowing it herself" Thalion shook his head, and in turn told of Xander and Bly's arrival to Voronwe, and tears glistened in Greven's eyes as Thalion spoke of Ciar and her healing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"My pretty girl. That day we found them in the meadow, she looked up at me, and I felt so lost for her. Everything she was had been taken away. And Rudy, that little Colt was dying beside her. After we stopped his bleeding, and carried the two back, She nestled her head on my shoulder and I felt the closest thing to a Father that I have ever felt in that time. You probably think me silly, but that sweet and shamed black Unicorn has been my family for all these years. I am glad she is whole again. And Rudy too...he'll be a regular sky king now" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thalion shook his head, "no, no. I don't see you as foolish. And, may Yahweh grant it to happen, I pray you two shall again see each other. But...I have one more thing to tell you...your reference of King brought it to my mind...."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Was it night, or day? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Elf had fallen asleep soon after delivering his last news, his head hung like a dead men's. With the amount of blood puddled at his feet, he should be dead. Greven could only hope he was rescued in time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But sleep for himself was pushed far away with this new realization. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Xander, king? King of Aragathia? The rumored escaped heir?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Greven had known Xander's father, or rather, knew of him. He was a harsh, prejudiced man; A man who disregarded any life of anything that wasn't human. How ironic that he himself would be a half breed without knowing it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And Xander was coming, coming to claim what was his...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For the first time since being cast in this dark hell hole, Greven could feel hope. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Even if his life left him, Aragathia would be righted, and that was a comfort of its own. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To see Xander sitted upon the throne that Felix now occupied, it would be a sight worth dying, and living, for. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">At some point, he must had drifted off to sleep, as he woke with a start to the metal barred door creaking open. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"You are a lucky one, Greven" the jailor grinned as he unlocked the shackles around Greven's ankles, "the king has desired a meeting with you" </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">of course, those who knew Felix would undoubtedly question whether he was lucky, or unlucky. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As he was led out of the cell, Greven glanced towards the place where the Elf, Thalion, had been, and found it empty. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">he would have questioned whether the Elf had been there at all, was it not for the still crimson pool at blood on the floor. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Where had they taken him? </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and how had they taken him? Greven was a light sleeper, the opening of the door and rustle of the wrist chains would have woken him. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">He puzzled these things while being led up to the upper prison level, where they stopped. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">His first thought, was of gladness that he wouldn't have to venture outside the darkness of the Dungeons. it must have been close to a month that he had been down here, and while seeing the sky again was desirable, it was also a bit intimidating, as the sunlight would probably blind him, even if it were a cloudy day. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But then, he realized, there was only one reason Felix would come to the dungeons, on this particular level, and that was for the torture chambers. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"you certainly have a unique way of putting a torture session" Greven murmured while the guard unlocked the oak and steel door. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Personally, he had never been inside the chambers, though he had heard plenty of horror stories, and if he were to say he wasn't a bit frightful over this whole development, he'd be lying. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"The king has ever intention of coming to speak with you, traitor" The guard chained Greven to a contraption built to limit his movement while the torture master stood from a chair in the corner, "but 'e asked me to break you in nice and good first, make you ya listen and comply like ya should" </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The master flexed, and lifted a long black bullwhip from the roughly fashioned table to his right, and grinned. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Not going to plead, are ya?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Greven's fists clenched in the metal shackles, "if I did, I doubt it would make any difference" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"good" The Torture master unravelled the long bullwhip with a snap as it cracked against the dirt floor, "I like a sturdy person. weak, begging ladymen aren't any fun". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">-------------</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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"enough" Felix's voice rang above the pounding in Greven's ears, and he looked up as the whip fell short from striking out at his face again. </div>
<div>
the king stood in the doorway, and, Greven noted, looked older than the last time, a month ago, that he had seen him. </div>
<div>
"I think you have done well, Anders, leave" Felix commanded, and the Torture master bowed before leaving the king alone with the still chained prisoner. </div>
<div>
after the door shut, Felix clicked his tongue, "Really, Greven, is this necessary?" </div>
<div>
Greven blinked the blood out of his vision, only to feel a new wave of warm crimson pour over his left eye again. </div>
<div>
"you tell me, Felix. I wasn't the one who requested to be tortured" </div>
<div>
He could taste the blood in his mouth, and there was a deep cut across his mouth which was going to leave a nasty scar.<br />
Despite his rather misfortune current predicament, he couldn't help but think, a deep scar on his face wasn't going to make him anymore popular with the ladies.<br />
The King smirked, but it was a sort of painful grin, as if just pulling his face into something even mildly presentable hurt, "Don't be tarty, Greven, it won't get you anything pleasant"<br />
Greven resisted the urge to snap back something new sarcastic and shrug, but the look in the King's eyes, and the fact that the Torture master was standing right outside the door coupled with the fact that Greven really didn't want to add more scars and blood to his current fate than was already here, held him back.<br />
So he mainly glared at Felix, letting his eyes say everything he willed his mouth to keep from saying.<br />
Felix pulled up a chair from a corner, and settled himself in it, the contrast between the rickety wicker chair with the reed seat and the king, dressed in his robes of purple and silver velvet would have, perhaps, have been humorous.<br />
If Greven hadn't ached from every core of his being.<br />
"Greven, I gave you enough time to talk to the Elvish man quite long enough" Felix's tone of voice suddenly changed, instead of sounding harsh and ridiculing, he actually sounded like a Father having a gentle chat with a wayward son.<br />
That trick wasn't about to fool Greven.<br />
"Please, lets avoid anymore, disagreeable treatment, and, why don't you let me know about your conversation? You don't even have to tell me about battle plans, or anything that could endanger you rebel's futile plans" Felix leaned forward, the chair creaking, "I just have one thing I desire to know" <br />
Greven's eyebrows rose, what sort of information could he possible have that was of more importance than that of battle plans?<br />
"Tell me, Greven, tell me, and I will see to it that this sort of punishment isn't repeated, and, I'm feeling generous, I'll even give you a cell on higher ground" he shrugged, "I hope you understand that I can't just let you go"<br />
"Of course, that would be foolishness" Greven snapped, his tone icy, and Felix smiled that same half pained grin, "You always have a witty tongue, Greven"<br />
The king stood, but paced for only a few seconds before sitting down again, he was agitated. But about what?<br />
"Greven, I understand that the ex Captian Bolivar was close to you, and, recently, he and that ambassador, headed towards Voronwe, if the reports we received are indeed correct" Felix's feet shuffled, what in all of incantevole could have him so flustered by Xander going to Voronwe?<br />
And Greven knew all of this from his talk with Thalion...his mind raced to try and figure out where Felix was going with this conversation before Felix reached it, so he could stay a step ahead.<br />
"Undoubtedly, the elves know of the identity of the heir of Adan, my nephew or great nephew, just as Xander probably knows. I cannot help but skip to the philosophy, that you, a close Friend of Xander, a man who was welcomed into Voronwe without any problems, would be told the identity as well, if you had a conversation with an Elf..."<br />
Felix again stood, and Greven's eyes widened, Felix didn't know of who Xander was? Was that possible?<br />
"Which, you did have...the male elf we had captured" Felix stepped nearer Greven, so the man in chains and the older man who wore a crown that didn't belong to him where face to face.<br />
"Greven. Who is the Heir of Adan? that is the only thing I ask" <br />
The room was filled with silence as Greven and Felix faced each other in a fierce stare down.<br />
The sound of a rat scurrying somewhere, water dripping, even the wind howling outside the small rectangular window outside.<br />
Greven's face slowly broke into a smile, the cut on his mouth paining him all the more.<br />
"The identity of the true king? that's what you desire to know so badly?"<br />
Felix's eyes were almost wild.<br />
Fear.<br />
he feared Xander, even if he didn't know who he was.<br />
He feared the Grandson of Adan, who was coming, surely coming, to claim what had been denied him.<br />
Felix gripped the chains holding Greven's wrist cuffs, and jerked them roughly, "You know, tell me, Greven. If you know what is good for you, than you tell me"<br />
Greven cleared his throat, "I used to tell my pupils, <i>Felix</i>" he didn't disguise the fact that he called the King by his first name only, but emphasized it. "That an answer to a question long desired told outright is only for idiots, and since you are <i>surely no idiot</i>" he was going to get punished for his lack of discretion. "Why don't I give you a riddle?" he smiled pleasantly, but Felix growled and jerked the chains roughly, "don't fool with me, Greven"<br />
Greven merely cleared his throat, "The man for whom you search is also the man for whom you search, the quarry and the prey are one of the same. The man who was is also the man who will be" He tilted his head, "simple enough for you? I try not to make my riddles puzzling for those with..." his words caught in his throat as Felix slammed a cold poker against his ribs.<br />
The King shouted as Greven continued to hold a plaster smile to his face, and the Torture master reentered.<br />
Even as the poker pressed against his skin, this time heated in the low burning coals, and Felix ordered for the torture master to leave him barely alive, he had the realization that driving Felix nearly insane with madness was the second best thing he had ever done in his life. The first, the first thing he was proud of doing, was aiding Xander out of Aragathia.<br />
Helping the king escape.<br />
As he slipped into the darkness where there was no pain, he had one hope.<br />
And that was, that Xander hurry up and free him, because he really was going to need treatment for these burn and whip marks.<br />
and of course, Aragathia was depending on him.<br />
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ashley tahghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15995046172185384734noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792052428746971302.post-43181559940918192442013-06-10T06:36:00.000-07:002013-06-10T06:36:58.859-07:00Kaymele part 11/ Nithron (part 1 of maybe 2)<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~Nithron~</div>
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As soon as she ran I felt worse than I'ld ever felt before. I never intended to say anything hurtful, it just slipped out and there's no excuse for it. Just as I reached the door, she slammed it in my face. I was now angry at myself and at Nuvole, he was the one who tipped me off about her being a princess.<br />
I punch the wall outside the door, and sink to the ground. I truly thought she was finished hiding, but I guess figuring her out is going to take longer than I thought.<br />
Pulling myself together, I leave to find Nuvole. I need to know why he told me about her and where he got his information. He must not be inside, Kaymele would've thrown him out by now. He must be visiting Nairi, and telling her all he knows, and if it's anything to make her so protective of herself then it must be something more important then that she's a princess. I round the corner and nearly run smack into Nairi.<br />
'HEY, watch where you're going!' she shouts.<br />
'Sorry, I didn't expect to run into you. Aren't you suppose to be in bed. You're still not well, and Anakis will be very worried when she finds you've gone,'<br />
'I'll worry about that later, I'm looking for Nuvole. I just have to find him,' she exclaims.<br />
'Well it just so happens that I'm looking for him too. Do you mind if I help you search?' I ask.<br />
'Would you?' she asks. I nod, 'Oh thank you. If you'll look in the camp, I'll check around Beleg's tent, the main infirmary, and the kitchen.'<br />
At that we go and search for Nuvole. I search all throughout the camp, checking around each and every tent. The well was next and there was no one even near it. <br />
After about three hours of searching around the camp, I search for Nairi to see if she found anything. It doesn't take me long to find her, as she has returned to the infirmary to rest. I walk through the door, and she greets me with a smile. Adonis is, as usual, right beside her and greets me with a glare.<br />
'Nairi have you found Nuvole? I searched all over, but had no luck,' I murmur breathily.<br />
'I found him in the kitchen, but he left to talk to Beleg. After that I don't know where he'll be, but he'll probably come by and visit me at some point,'<br />
'Thanks Nairi, I have to talk to him,' I say.<br />
I swiftly walk to Beleg's tent, only to find it deserted. Beleg and Nuvole aren't in the tent or around it. As I circle around it for the second time, Beleg comes walking up with his hands filled with weapons. Just before he drops one I catch it, and take a few more to lighten the load.<br />
'Thank you Nithron, I was worried I wouldn't make it,' he says wiping the sweat off his brow.<br />
'No problem. Has Nuvole been here?' I ask.<br />
'Oh yes, he's been here telling me all he knows about Aragathia, even some about how we can get inside and out without being spotted,'<br />
'Do you know where he is?'<br />
'The last time I saw him, he was headed towards the infirmary,'<br />
'Thanks, I need to talk to him,' I say as I walk back to the infirmary. As it gets closer I notice that the door to Nairi's room is open. I poke my head inside, and find Nairi back in bed. Adonis is by her side fiddling with a ball. I step further in and I hear a low growl from Adonis, and wonder what he's upset about. I walk around to the other side of the room and kneel at the bedside.<br />
'I haven't found Nuvole anywhere, but I was wondering if...' I start, but then a tall figure cast a shadow over me, and as I stand and turn to face whom it belongs to. Though I've already guessed who it is, it's Nuvole.<br />
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~Kaymele~</div>
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~Earlier that day~</div>
With a heavy heart and angry tears I slowly pack a small bag. Just enough to get me there and never return. There's a soft knock at the door, and Nuvole comes in. I don't even turn to greet him, I spin around and throw and ball of water at him, but before it reaches his face he turns it into ice and shatters on the floor. Whipping my head around again I melt the water and reform the ball, but instead of cold I made it boiling hot. Instead of his face this time I aimed for his feet, and just like before his froze it solid.<br />
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'You'll never get me with water,' he whispered with a small chuckle.</div>
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'You had no right!'</div>
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'I had every right, look, I didn't know Nithron was out of the picture of your family tree, but come on it's not that bad is it?'</div>
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'Oh, no. It's not bad at all, not bad until you get to the part where I'm going back to my people to possibly be executed, not to mention that Nithron wishes that he'd never met or rescued me,' I pause to catch my breath, 'I just can't take it anymore!'</div>
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'I thought you were innocent of all your crimes?'</div>
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'I am, but nothing I can say, or do will ever change the minds of my people. My only wish was to keep my family safe, but even that I could not regain control over.'<br />
'Yes, your sister, but who in all Incantivole is this Rinion?' he asks.<br />
Once again he has been reading through my journal.<br />
'He...He was my betrothed, but he died before we were married,'<br />
'He just died?'<br />
'No, he was killed, by pirates who were selling weapons to the trolls, ogres, and goblins. They killed him because he had found them out, and stopped them. And that day still haunts my nightmares along with my sister,' I say trembling.<br />
For a while we just stand there thinking, and trying to take in everything that's been said. Nuvole rubs his eyes and sits on the little stool beside the door. I sit on the bed clutching the bag I was packing.<br />
'So, you're really leaving?' he asks timidly.<br />
'It seems as though I'm really not wanted around here, I stayed because I wanted to fight, and I couldn't return to my people without guaranteeing my death. Nithron saved me from my people, and I would do anything for him,'<br />
'Accept tell him who you really are?' interjects Nuvole.<br />
'I would have told him in due time, but the moment never presented itself and I didn't want to be treated different. How could you possibly understand? If he would have known things would have been, well, awkward between us and I never would have gotten to know him like I do now,' there's a pause as I watch Nuvole's face for any expression, but none is forthcoming, 'I don't blame him for being angry, but the implication that there was something going on between us, was almost insulting.'<br />
'Is that what he said!?' he exclaims as he rubs the back of his neck, and his face reddens with blush.<br />
'Oh, um, yes... h..he did say that,' I stutter, as I feel my own cheeks becoming hotter by the second, 'but I assured him that there was nothing between us. It doesn't matter, I'm leaving.'<br />
'Well, if you're sure. You've saved my life and took care of Nairi, and for that I thank you with as much gratitude as I have. You are the bravest, kindest, and the most wonderful person I've had the pleasure of knowing. I'm just sorry to see our friendship end this way,' he says sorrowfully.<br />
'Thank you, Nuvole. I'm sorry it had to end this way too,' we embrace, and he leaves.<br />
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~Nithron~</div>
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I cautiously rise to my feet, and come almost eye to eye with him, he being the shorter. His countenance was of a man looking for answers, and possibly a fight. I'm sure I was the same, and so there we stand.</div>
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'Can I talk to you outside?' he urges.</div>
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'It depends on the topic,' I say half jokingly.</div>
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'About one whom shall remain nameless here, but means great deal to both of us. Now can I please talk to you outside?'</div>
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I walk towards the door, and let him pass through first. His long strides taking him no time at all to get him outside.</div>
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'Do you want me to come with you?' says Adonis placing a hand on my shoulder.</div>
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'No, thanks for the offer, but I'd better handle this alone,' I say starting out the door.</div>
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'Alright, but don't hesitate to call if you're in need of help,'</div>
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I nod my head, but my thoughts are elsewhere. I follow Nuvole across the grassy plain to a broken down, stone building. The gate stood open and we both entered. Nuvole started pacing as if trying to find a good way to broach the topic he wanted to discuss.</div>
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'Why don't you just ask me about Kaymele?' I ask curtly.</div>
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'Not to be rude, but you should be asking me about her. Because apparently you don't know much about her,' he pauses slightly and crosses his arms, 'You didn't know her when you took her from her people, or why you were rescuing her in the first place. And you didn't know her well enough to know we never had a relationship past friendship, and you still don't know her now.' </div>
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I cross my arms and lean against the wall. The sad truth was that I didn't know her as well as I had imagined, and I may never as long as I live. Nuvole patiently waits for me to contemplate everything he's said.</div>
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'Well Nithron, are you sure you want to know her?' says Nuvole.</div>
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'I suppose now I have no choice,'</div>
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'Ah, but you do. Though it seems to me, that a man that goes to such great lengths to find out about a fair lady, is quite infatuated with her,' he says discreetly, 'Why do you need to know so much about her, and her life. Could you possibly be in love with her?'</div>
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This question alarms me, because I've never thought myself saying those words aloud. I recount my actions of the morning. All morning I have searched for the man who seems to know everything about Kaymele, and once I've found him I question the need for information about her.</div>
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'Nuvole, I think you may have struck a good question, and this is all quite confusing. But I think I am in love with her. Though is it possible to love someone I don't truly know?' I ask.</div>
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A smile spreads across his face, and his answer is simple. 'I believe so. I can tell you what I know and only that much. That way you won't be in the dark for too long.'</div>
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'Many thanks friend,'</div>
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'Do not thank me yet, for the tale I have to tell is terrible indeed,' he says.</div>
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~Kaymele~</div>
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I turn and take one last look at the room, and pick up my pack, and my bow and arrows. This room may be one of the last things I see that brings back good memories. <i> 'I will have to get Florentide to stay and fight, even if she follows me back I won't let her stick around and be killed. She is needed here, and now that Adonis is back, she has an interpreter, and I'm sure Nithron can talk to her as well.' </i> This all runs through my head as I quietly close the door. Naneth always used to say that when a door is closed, in time another will open. I just wish the door I closed would reopen, because as hard as I try I cannot deny the fact that I have a deeper feeling for Nithron than just friendship. I feel the same way I used to feel about Rinion.</div>
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As I turn the corner of the building Florentide glides down obviously sensing my thoughts. I try to hide in the shadows of the building, but it's no use, she's already seen me.</div>
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'<i>And where are you going?' </i>she asks.</div>
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'<i>Back home, to face whatever fate I must</i>. <i> Nithron and I had a fight, and he said he wished he had never rescued me. So I will return, and most likely never come back.'</i></div>
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<i> 'I will go with you,'</i></div>
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<i> 'No, you must stay and help fight. I know how much you don't like Adonis, but you must use him to comunicate.'</i></div>
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<i> 'I am not under your control, and I will go or stay as I please.' </i>she quips.</div>
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<i>'But if you go back and I'm killed the next one to be dead will be you, and I can't ask you to sacrifice yourself for me.' </i>she huffs and paws the ground, '<i>No, you don't you are a very wise and noble companion, you have stayed with me all my life. But I beg of you, do not throw away your life because of me.' </i>I say, tears starting to weld up in my eyes. I run up and hug her scaly fore-leg. '<i>You're too wonderful to loose, I will never forget you,'</i></div>
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<i> 'And I will never forget you Kaymele, be safe in there, it's quite dangerous.' </i>she says leaning her head down to my level, '<i>Here take this,' </i>she pulls off a scale and it falls into my hands, '<i>If you have this, I will always be able to find you, if you don't go back home that is.'</i></div>
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<i> '</i>Thank you<i>.' </i>I say gently placing it in the pack, 'goodbye, Florentide.'</div>
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She bows her head, and I step into the forest. Trekking through the forest looked easy, but with the traps and the ever changing trees make it an exceptional hardship. After a while I felt myself going uphill, and I can feel the trees are watching my every step. One of them lifted a root and cause me to fall flat on my face, and I hear them sway with laughter. I stop briefly to eat some bread and cheese, then start off again. </div>
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As I start to descend the hill I trip on another root and roll down the hill right into a slightly marshy area. I lie there, a bit dizzy, and stare up at the sky. Slowly I sit up and try to see how far off course I've fallen, gingerly I lift my arm and there's a scratch from my wrist to my elbo, and a small trickle of blood starts to flow when I feel a sharp pain across my foot. When I look down at it, nothing appears close enough to have scratched it. I rise warily, and pull out my bow and load it, looking all around to find whatever seems to be attacking me. More shots of pain to my legs first from the right then from the left. My legs are bleeding profusely now, and still I don't see anything.</div>
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Just then I feel the sharp jabs start attacking my back and arms. Before I could shoot an arrow, my arms were wrapped in vines, the bow falls to the ground, I feel them wrapping around my legs and waist. Terrified, I let out a scream before one had wrapped itself around my neck and squeezed it silent. Still they moved so quickly that I still couldn't see them slashing with their sharp ends. Digging deeper into my flesh, I was starting to black out from lack of blood and air, but before I totally blacked I spot a figure running down the hill with a drawn sword. I try to call for help, but the vine tightened it's grip, and I saw no more.</div>
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~Nithron~</div>
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'I just can't believe she could ever have done that,' I say.</div>
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'It's the truth, I was the best spy in the kingdom. Nothing got past me,' he boasts.</div>
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We walk outside and towards Kaymele's room. The door is still closed, but she may still be inside. The windows have the curtains drawn, and there is no light behind them to suggest people inside.</div>
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'Do you think she's left yet?'</div>
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'She was still packing when I talked to her,' says Nuvole.</div>
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'Won't hurt to check. I must apologies to her and you for everything I said, I was jealous, and...' </div>
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'I understand, there's no need to explain,'</div>
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After several knocks on the door, I try the knob. Shockingly it's unlocked, and swings open easily. I start to worry. '<i>Could she have already gone? Oh Kaymele where are you?'</i></div>
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<i> '</i>Lets ask Florentide, hopefully she's still here,' I say rushing out the door.</div>
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No sooner had I spoke when Florentide came flying in. '<i>Are you looking for Kaymele?' </i>she asks.</div>
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The sensation of another inside ones own mind is slightly alarming, <i>'Yes, do you know where she's gone?'</i></div>
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<i> 'Into the Tawarthion, she left about half an hour ago,' </i>she says warily.</div>
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<i> 'Thank you, you have been most helpful,'</i></div>
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<i> 'Why did you need to know? You broke her heart, and she's had that happen more times than most people would ever have in a immortal lifetime,'</i></div>
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<i> 'Because, I intend to mend her heart. Do you not see Florentide, I'm in love with her,' </i>I exclaim.</div>
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<i> </i>She gives a little huff, '<i>She went that way, follow her I sense she's in grave danger.'</i></div>
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<i> 'I will,' </i>I turn to Nuvole, 'I am going after her.'</div>
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'You'll be killed, I'm coming with you,'</div>
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'I've lived here for ten years, and all that time I studied the Tawarthion. I know all it's traps and tricks, and you're not fully recovered. Just stay here, I can't guaranty your safety,' I replied.</div>
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'Be careful, those woods are treacherous,'</div>
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'I will friend,' and with that I run the direction Florentide said Kaymele left.</div>
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After several miles of trekking I find the remains of a fire and some bread crumbs. Just then I hear a scream, and only one person I know could scream like that. The sound came from over the hill. I pick up my pace and run as fast as I dare to the top of the hill. As I begin the descent, I here a rustling at the bottom, and the first thing that I can think of that makes that sound is Slasher Vines.</div>
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These vines attack at the slightest smell of blood, and live in marshy places where the going is rough. They slash your flesh with their very sharp ends which are poisoned. The strange thing is the tips of these vines have very little amounts of poison, so they first try to bleed the victim to death and slowly poison them at the end.</div>
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As I reach a certain point on the hill I see the long red hair and the tan skin, then I know it's Kaymele. I draw my sword and run the rest of the way down the hill.</div>
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'BACK! Back you vile creature!' I shout. Lifting my sword I cut through several vines. They release her body, letting it fall to the ground with a thunderous crash. They turn their attack to me with squeals and rustling noises. I wave my sword wildly, missing more times than hitting. The vines dart in and out faster and faster, slashing across my skin. Looking everywhere for the source I trip several times and the vines grab my ankles and pull me back slashing faster than before. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye I see a clump of vines off to the left of me. I cut the vines holding my ankles and run towards it raising my sword high. I bring it down on the tangle again and again, until the vines recede back into the forest with cries of pain and loud rustling.</div>
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Picking myself up I turn to see Kaymele's blood covered body lying limp on the ground. I hurry as fast as I can over to her, but the pain in my ankle tells me, I sprained it. Carefully I kneel beside her, and gently brush back her hair, to see her beautiful face, and lift her into my arms.</div>
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'Oh Kaymele, what have I done,' I gently kiss her forehead, and begin the long trek back to Revelin.</div>
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In the few cuts I received I could feel the poison racing through my veins, and I could only guess that time was running out for Kaymele. Her face was getting paler by the minute as we journeyed back.</div>
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An hour later, we finally reach the edge of Revelin, the sky is going dark and the stars are starting to come out. Florentide and Nuvole are waiting about thirty yards away, and they run towards us. </div>
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'What happened?' he exclaims.</div>
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'Slasher Vines, quick I must get her to Anakis. Go, run ahead and get help,'</div>
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~Kaymele~</div>
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I fade in and out of unconsciousness, though every time I come back into consciousness a wave of pain surges through me. Only occasionally do I feel the jostling of the man who's carrying me. I still don't know who it is, just that his presence is familiar and comforting. </div>
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'How long has she been like this?' I faintly hear Anakis say.</div>
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'About an hour, she was attacked by Slasher Vines,' says Nithron.</div>
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'Alright, tell me about the vines. What do they do?'</div>
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'Well, with every slash they inflict, a small amount of poison is injected, But they only attack when they smell blood. I couldn't find anything at the time, and the cuts were too numerous. But then you showed me that cut on her arm,' Nithron says.</div>
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All these voices seem to swirl inside my head. Suddenly I feel a tremendous drawing out feeling all over my body, and a ripping in my side where something sharp had lodged itself. After all this, I feel myself go totally numb, I wonder if I will even be able to open my eyes.</div>
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When I do manage to open my eyes, the first thing I do is lean over the bed and retch the bit of food I had left in me. Everything looks so blurry and filmy, and a man walks up and gently wipes my face with a dry cloth. Slowly the world starts to come into focus, and it's Nithron, wiping my mouth with one hand and stroking my hair with the other. His blue eyes focusing intently into my brown ones, and a small smile forms on his lips. </div>
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'You're finally awake. I thought we had lost you,' </div>
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'What happened?' I whisper.</div>
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'You were attacked by Slasher Vines, and were nearly killed, but not to worry Anakis healed you...' he says, but he looks as if he wants to say more but is held back.</div>
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'But, how did I get away? All I can remember is a figure running towards me with a drawn sword,' I say.</div>
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'That was me,' he says quietly.</div>
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'You? But why would you do that? You said...' I start, but he puts a finger to my lips.<br />
'I was wrong, so very wrong. Kaymele, I only said those things because I thought that I was loosing you to Nuvole, because... I... umm,'<br />
'Yes?'<br />
'The truth is, that I never want you to leave ever. I'll always keep you safe, and I'ld kill anyone who would hurt you,' he rambles.<br />
'Nithron, what are you saying?' I ask.<br />
'I think I'm in love with you,'<br />
There is silence between us, as we stare at each other. His eyes filled with truth, and love. I try to stop the tears of joy from spilling over my cheeks but it's useless.<br />
'Kaymele, have I said something wrong? What's the matter?' he asks.<br />
'Nothing's wrong, but for the last few weeks I have also fallen in love with you,'<br />
The biggest smile crosses his face and I'm sure the same is on mine. We would have embraced each other, but the cot and my wounds prevented it. Instead Nithron gently kisses my forehead and continues to stroke my hair. Slowly I raise my hand and gently touch his cheek, and he takes it in both his hands and caresses it. Both of us oblivious of the danger soon to befall us both.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06661127746422279825noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792052428746971302.post-67363532609932037192013-05-17T14:00:00.000-07:002013-06-10T08:52:31.703-07:00Anakis (Part 5)<div style="text-align: center;">
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I had just finished giving Percy a final examination when I saw a lion behind the boy's tent. I was quite surprised and almost screamed, but then I realized it was Prid.<br />
"What's wrong?" I asked.<br />
He looked at me with big sad eyes. "Why do think?" he said, in a growling, lion-like voice.<br />
"Is it because you just found out I was a fairy?" I asked. He nodded.<br />
I sighed. "Prid, I didn't tell you because I wanted to know you better first. I wanted to make sure that you could keep a secret before I told you anything. No one really is supposed to know." I played with my wing, a nervous habit.<br />
"But I told you everything! My past, my present, my future! I escorted you here! I cried my eyes out about my uncle to you! I thought I...loved you. And, by your lies, I don't think I do anymore!" he shouted.<br />
My eyes filled with tears. This couldn't be happening. He loved me, but not anymore. I felt my heart break inside me as Kaymele came behind the tent.<br />
"Prid, there's someone here to see you," she said, not at all startled at his lion form. "She says she's your sister."<br />
"My sister?" he said as he transformed back to a human. "I don't..."<br />
"Prid!" I was angry now. He got mad for me keeping secrets, and now he suddenly has a sister?<br />
"But I don't have a sister!" he told Kaymele.<br />
My eyes were so full of tears I could hardly see. I quickly left before anyone could notice.<br />
Natia sat on a bench talking with Percy. "Natia, we need to talk," I told her. She bid Percy farewell and followed me to the healing tent. Adonis was in there, but Natia led me to a corner and told me to sit.<br />
"Now," she said when I was settled, "what's wrong now?"<br />
I opened my mouth to speak, and burst into tears. Between sobs, I told her the whole story. Adonis looked at us funny but said nothing.<br />
"Let's go see this 'sister'," said Natia.<br />
We looked around outside. There was Prid, and a girl who looked nothing like him. "Maybe he doesn't have a sister," said Natia.<br />
Just then, Prid and the girl looked towards us. "Are these your friends, Prid?" asked the girl. <br />
Prid looked at me. He sent me a message with his eyes. <i>I'm sorry, </i>his eyes seemed to say. <i>I didn't know about her.</i><br />
<i> </i>"It's okay," I told him, so quietly only he could hear me.<br />
"I'm Natia and this is Anakis," said Natia.<br />
The girl smiled. She had light brown hair and blue eyes. "I'm Lani. I'm Prid's half sister." Her face became more serious. "We had the same mother."<br />
"Would you like to meet the others, Lani?" asked Natia. Lani nodded, and they left Prid and me alone.<br />
"I'm so sorry," said Prid. I shouldn't have reacted that way."<br />
"It's fine. Really," I said.<br />
He smiled. "So does that mean we're friends again?" he asked.<br />
I smiled back. "Of course." But by the way he looked at me, I had a feeling we were so much more.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792052428746971302.post-5759799421466574542013-05-16T14:30:00.002-07:002013-06-10T15:42:53.975-07:00Nairi (part 5)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<i>Where am I? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was it all a dream? It
felt so real if it was.</i> <i>But Nuvole was there; it must have been-</i><br />
"When do you think she will wake up?" <br />
"I don't know, Adonis. It's been a few days. She is in perfect health
now, but she might not wake till tomorrow."<br />
I heard Adonis groan, "I'll be right back." I heard him again,
this time storming out of the tent.<br />
When I was sure there was no one in the room, I hopped out of bed – which
was not a smart idea seeing as I fell over backwards onto the bed. "Ok,
bad idea," I mumbled to myself. "Let’s try sitting up first."<br />
I sat up and looked around, tested my injured arm, which was now perfectly
fine, and finally eased up. I stood there for a moment before taking a step. I
didn't fall over, so that was good. I walked in circles around my room for a
minute, and then proceeded to jog in place. "Yeah!" I yelled.
"Nairi's back in the game!" I covered my mouth thinking I may have
been too loud but still couldn't help but giggle a little.<br />
After I had calmed down, I left my tent and breathed in the fresh air. It
filled my lungs until my chest hurt. <br />
<i>Way better than being stuck in a prison</i>. I thought, <i>Wait...prison?
How did I get out? </i>I racked my brain trying to remember. <i>I was unconscious
most of the time I was there because I was so sick and then ummm then...NUVOLE.</i>
I remembered, <i>He helped me escape and he carried me the whole way here...and
he was hurt and the death hounds...Oh no.</i> I ran to the nearest guard.<br />
"Excuse me sir."<br />
He looked down. He didn't have much of a beard, and he had kind blue eyes
and disheveled brown hair. He didn't look much older than me."Ah, what
might I do for you, young lady?"<br />
I didn't even think about the fact he thought I was little. "Is there a
sick area that is keeping a male Ceridwen, about this high?" I stood on my
tip toes and showed him about the height. “Black hair, blue eyes, and he would
be about in his twenties."<br />
The man looked like he was thinking. "Um, yes. I believe he is in the
building just around the corner. It should have a domed ceiling and be the
first on your left."<br />
I sighed in relief and thanked the man before bolting towards the building
as fast as my bare feet would take me. <br />
I slid to a stop, my black hair tumbling over my shoulders, as I reached the
building. I caught my breath and knocked on the door.<br />
Kaymele answered her eyes slightly red like she had been crying, and they
got wide when she saw me. "Nairi, you’re awake!"<br />
"Yes...But Kaymele do you have a patient by the name of Nuvole?"<br />
Her look of surprised dimmed and she nodded. "Yes, he was hurt pretty
bad. He saved you, you know."<br />
I nodded as we walked in. Kaymele took a sharp breath.<br />
I pushed past her "What?!"<br />
"H-He isn't here...how did I not notice that? He was better but I'm not
sure how much.”<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh great, now what?<br />
I bolted past Kaymele and started looking around. I checked by the well, by
the pond, in the outskirts of the woods, by Beleg's tent, and by the main
infirmary. I couldn't find him anywhere. <i>Where could he have gone?</i><br />
I heard a crash over by the kitchens and went to look. Nuvole was there talking
calmly, but I could tell he was angry by the way he was frowning. And when I
saw who he was talking to my heart started to race. Adonis was talking, his
eyes closed and his fists clenched. To be honest he looked about ready to
explode. I caught bits of their conversation.<br />
"You know you are really starting to tick me off!" Adonis complained
, not even trying to control the anger in his voice.<br />
"You know I could say the same to you." Nuvole sounded much calmer
but had a sharp edge to his voice.<br />
"Shouldn't you be lying down?"<br />
"I'm perfectly fine now thanks. It doesn't take as long for me to heal
anymore."<br />
"Who are you anyway? You just show up somehow managing to save Nairi
from Felix. How do we know you aren't some spy?"<br />
"Ask anyone; I'm no spy. I would die fighting in this war. Just knowing
that I helped in any way to hurt Felix would be fine." Nuvole sounded like
he was getting angrier. <i><br />
What are they fighting about anyway?<br />
</i>Their argument continued for a few more minutes until Adonis's hands burst
into flame and Nuvole was prepared to stab him with razor sharp ice.<br />
I jumped in before they could kill each other. I knew it would be over in a
matter of seconds, for both of them.<br />
"Stop it!" I blew them both back with a gust of wind "What in
Incantevole are you two doing?!"<br />
"Nairi!" They both exclaimed. They both had wide eyes like they just
now realized they were about to kill each other.<br />
"I thought you were still asleep?" Adonis mumbled.<br />
"No, I woke up right after you left."<br />
"So you’re feeling better kid?" I looked at Nuvole. All the anger was
gone from him and he was smiling.<br />
As much as I wanted to run up and hug him and tell him how much I missed him, I
didn't. "Yes, I am feeling better." Okay I couldn't help it. I ran up
and hugged him "I missed you, Idiot." I started crying.<br />
"Yeah, I figured. Sorry." He hugged me back.<br />
Adonis cleared his throat and I broke away from Nuvole and wiped my eyes.
"Mind telling me what’s going on, Shorty."<br />
"Adonis! Stop calling me that. I'm not short!" I sighed, "He's
my brother, Nuvole."<br />
Adonis looked shocked, "Wait, the dead one?"<br />
"That's me, the dead brother of Nairi."<br />
"I thought you said Felix killed him," he replied, totally ignoring
Nuvole.<br />
"Yes, well turns out he was made into his personal slave."<br />
"Ah, yes, speaking of which, I need to go tell Beleg some interesting
knowledge I stumbled upon." He smiled and ruffled my hair "Bye,
Nairi." He glanced at Adonis "See ya, Hot Head." He waved as he
left.<br />
"What...did he just call me?" Adonis asked as I burst into laughter.
"It is not funny!"<br />
"Yes, it is very funny. I consider it pay back."<br />
"For what?"<br />
"For calling me Shorty."<br />
"Doesn't mean I'll stop.”<br />
I stuck my tongue out at him and left.<br />
I walked around the camp before spotting Kaymele sitting alone on a bench.<br />
"Hey." I said. She didn't look at me. "Hey Kaymele, are you
okay?"<br />
"What." She looked up at me. It was obvious she had been crying.<br />
"Is something wrong?"<br />
"No, nothing." She stood up quickly and something fell.<br />
I picked it up."You dropped something-" I stopped mid sentence
staring at the familiar stone. "Where did you get this?"<br />
"Huh, oh the boy I was taking care of, Nuvole, had it. I figured you could
read it." She seemed like she really wanted to leave.<br />
"It says <span class="hps"><i><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">Bí</span></i></span><span class="shorttext"><i><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"> </span></i></span><span class="hps"><i><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">sábháilte agus</span></i></span><span class="shorttext"><i><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"> </span></i></span><span class="hps"><i><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">do theach a</span></i></span><span class="shorttext"><i><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"> </span></i></span><span class="hps"><i><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">mheabhrú. </span></i></span><span class="hps"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">Meaning, Be safe and
remember your home.I made it for Nuvole right before he left." I smiled
and a tear ran down my cheek. "He kept it."</span></span><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
<span class="hps">"What language is that</span></span><span class="hps">?</span><span class="hps"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">" She still seemed
like she wanted to leave</span>,</span><span class="hps"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"> but she must have been more curious. </span></span><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
<span class="hps">I smiled</span></span><span class="hps">,</span><span class="hps"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"> "Ceridwen of course."</span></span><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
<span class="hps">She looked a bit shocked "But you never spoke your
language. I assumed you spoke the language of normal humans."</span><br />
<span class="hps">"No</span></span><span class="hps">,</span><span class="hps"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"> I speak my native language but there was
no reason for me to speak Ceridwen if no one would understand me. So I spoke
solely the language everyone would recognize. Like Adonis, he is speaking human
but he is half dragon and was raised by them so Dragon would Naturally be his
first language. But you don't hear him speaking in low grunts, snorts, and
puffs do you?"</span></span><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
<span class="hps">"No, well I must be off." She hurried away leaving me
standing there with the stone I had given Nuvole before he left. I realized
that now that he was back the King would probably be furious. And war was
coming fast. I didn't know his plan, and I</span></span><span class="hps"> only</span><span class="hps"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"> vaguely </span>k</span><span class="hps"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">new ours. But I had a bad
feeling a battle was coming. A big battle that will end in either a grand
victory or great torment.</span></span><br />
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->Kathrine Hatterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18094944521758691210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792052428746971302.post-34759798511708095082013-03-19T20:39:00.000-07:002013-03-19T20:39:52.181-07:00Xander {Part 7}<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cvOMMtnSA5emkus1CMWfJ2821PWFqEcrF8PRrK-BbhtDZ8m8iW6SSOy6Tay1ktlsjtnT0MdARi9cnSdXw3a3DYnmUCKTD42iPnAb9hbfIl84ksO_SWR3OLgO-Dfrhz7UzY2_18ndOKA/s640/blogger-image-120529036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cvOMMtnSA5emkus1CMWfJ2821PWFqEcrF8PRrK-BbhtDZ8m8iW6SSOy6Tay1ktlsjtnT0MdARi9cnSdXw3a3DYnmUCKTD42iPnAb9hbfIl84ksO_SWR3OLgO-Dfrhz7UzY2_18ndOKA/s640/blogger-image-120529036.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Can what I have been told true? I thought the Council spoke in jest when they told me the truth, this confusing truth. I, a king? Me, Xander Bolivar, Captain in the Revelin Army, defecting Captain of the Royal Aragathian guard, the blood right ruler of Incantevole? They said my father was the son of the King Adan and Queen Rhiana, an elf. In which, that means I am one quarter Elvish. How shocking this all was to me, as you can well imagine. I have caught myself touching my ears many times, almost expecting there to be pointedness, but it does appear I have my Grandfather's looks.</i> </div>
<br />
Xander laid the pen down, and massaged his temples. Stress had suddenly been thrust upon him, and he felt tired more and more often. The battle for Aragathia was no longer a matter of freedom, but a personal conflict. As rightful Heir of the throne, it was his duty to fight until either he or Felix were dead. Even if the Rebels were overcome, he would never have the freedom to do so. <br />
He picked up the feather pen, and began to scratch his thoughts back into the simple leather book. <br />
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<i>I think of Bly more and more often, and yet, I haven't seen much of her since the meeting with the Council. I wonder if her timid spirit, no, not timid. That is a dishonor to a lady like Bly. She is soft spoken, gentle, and reserved, but never timid. She has the heart of a lion while being as docile as a lamb</i></div>
<br />
He smiled at the thought, and continued writing before he could slip into a daydream filled with thoughts of the fair lady who had captured his heart. <br />
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<i> But I do have to wonder if she stays away from my because of this sudden news of my pedigree. All Voronwë watches me, and I can only wonder if a part of Bly is shy of me now. No matter, some sort of elvish gathering is being held tonight, and I have great faith she will attend.</i></div>
<br />
He laid down his pen for good, and looked out the window for the time, the sun was at the 5'O'clock position, and the festival started at the same time the night fell. He had to get ready. <br />
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:::::::::::::</div>
<br />
Fires burned, despite the warm weather, and Xander scanned the crowds for a certain blond Elf. <br />
If he ever thought market day in Aragathia was crowded, he was wrong. <br />
However, the elvish people all shared a sort of graceful, gliding step that he had noticed in Bly, and he wasn't jostled as he would be in the Aragathian market place. <br />
Plus, there seemed to be no pick pockets. That was comforting. <br />
"And this is the visiting King!" He felt his arm grabbed by a young Elvish man, a complete stranger. <br />
Xander wanted to rush off with just a quick nod, he yearned to find Bly. But, manners were even more important now, and he bowed his head once, "Unless two kings are visiting this beautiful city, I am he" <br />
The man grinned practically from ear to ear, "What a pleasure to have you mingle among our people tonight, My lord. I'm Tyrous, and this is my sister, Yilliandra. We're from the house of Fernwalker" The man pulled a young woman closer to him, and, Xander thought it was impossible for it to be so, but his grin grew bigger. He wore the same look as a merchant who was ready to sell something, and just knew the customer wouldn't resist. <br />
The woman, Yilliandra, looked purely embarrassed, and tried tugging away, but Tyrous held her arm tighter. <br />
She raided big green eyes to Xander's face, "it is a pleasure to have such a distinguished visitor to our city" <br />
"We'd love to have you in our home at some point of time, the near future, Oh great one" Tyrous' grin irked Xander, it seemed...buttery, too merchant like. <br />
"I'm sure I co-" Xander felt a hand on his arm, and paused his words to look down, and felt giddy butterflies in his stomach. <br />
"Tyrous, stop trying to marry your poor sister off. It's hardly becoming, and less so on the king of Aragathia. Besides, Yilli looks ready to dash off and drown herself. Marry your own self off, you fool. Maybe only then you can improve your family's pitiful social standing" Bly's words were softly spoken, but strong enough to get her point across: <i> scoot</i><br />
The siblings disappeared in the crowds, and Xander blew out a sigh of relief, "Knights might save beautiful women from deadly perils, but sometimes the very same knights need those very same ladies to save them from awkward social meetings" he offered her his arm with a smile, and she blushed softly as she accepted it. <br />
"Nonsense, my lord. You won't always have little Bly Uaine to come to your aid. Besides, you aren't a simple knight anymore" <br />
<i> If I was, would you allow yourself to love me?</i><br />
Now would be the perfect time to tell her how he felt, to tell her that he wished for her to always be by his side, but her name was called, and she perked up. "Oh, Xander, come meet my oldest brother, Lithônien!" <br />
He smiled at the familiarity of her words, being called "Xander" instead of "My Lord". <br />
Another Elf, tall, but not nearly the same giant Thalion is, approached them. He wore the garb of the Scholars, perhaps more decorated and impressive, but the blue and silver robe was unmistakable. <br />
"Lithônien, this is Xander, the Blood Prince of Aragathia. And, Xander, my brother, Lithônien. He is head scholar and I imagine probably the most knowledgable man in Voronwë" Bly practically beamed with pride. <br />
Her brother had harsh blue eyes that looked as if they could freeze boiling water in the summer sun, and his face was like a stone, no emotion except perhaps, annoyance and disdain, coming across it. <br />
"It is a pleasure to meet such a man as yourself, Master Lithônien" Xander extended his hand, but the Elf simply looked at it, "so I'm sure it is. I have come to speak to my sister, pardon us" the elder brother pulled his sister aside, and Bly cast Xander a pleading look. <br />
"well, that went well..." He didn't realize he had spoken aloud until a soft voice piped up from behind him. "Do pardon Lithônien. It isn't you he has problems with, but humanity on a whole. His pride is unbearably even to most elves" <br />
He turned and found another scholar, her hair tumbling out of a loose braid and eyes cast to the floor. She looked familiar, but he couldn't place where he saw her...<br />
"Oh, do pardon me as well to speaking to you without introducing myself, Prince!" She curtsied, and nearly fell from trying to hastily. Xander caught her arm and smiled, "oh, I'm not put off, at least, not by you. In fact, I should thank you. I thought I had done something to offend the man" <br />
He looked back to Bly and her brother, she seemed to be doing most of the talking now, and her face was flushed as if in frustration. <br />
"I'm Scholar Alora" the other Elvish lady spoke again, and he turned his attention back to her. <br />
"Alora? Than you are the scholar who was in the council hall?" <br />
The lady looked delighted at having been remembered and nodded happily, "so it was I" <br />
"Than, I am glad to properly meet your acquaintance, good lady" Xander bowed, causing her to giggle and flush with happiness. Did the poor flustered scholar not get praise? As he remembered who she worked with, he supposed it shouldn't surprise him. <br />
Bly practically stomped back, and nodded once to Alora as Lithônien gestured for her to follow him. As soon as the scholars were vanished in the crowd Bly again took Xander's arm. "Forgive Lithônien. He has a pride that could use some bruising and a disgruntle against mankind that just won't be healed. It has nothing to do with you as a person" <br />
He walked with her through the bustle as music played. It struck him as odd, that even though music was being played and many were beginning to dance, no singing was heard. Was it a custom? Or did elves just not sing? <br />
"What sort of folly has my kind done to gain your brother's cold shoulder?" He hated asking it the moment he did, as it seemed like every foolish action, unjust ruling, unneeded war, mankind had ever made flooded his mind. <br />
But Bly's answer was spoken in soft to Ed, and wasn't the words he expected. "A human man took away the woman Lithônien loved" <br />
She gave him a pointed look, as if there was a puzzle and she had given him a piece of it, the last piece, perhaps. <br />
"Human....did he kill her?" He could see that wasn't the answer, "no? but, the only recorded elf/human marriage was....oh...Bly....good heavens..." <br />
She nodded, "Adan and Rhiana" <br />
"You mean to say, your brother, was in love with my, my...<i>my grandmother?!</i>"<br />
He couldn't decide if he needed to sit down, or was too shocked to do anything but stand there. <br />
Bly looked amused, and her head leaned against his shoulder, "Come now, good Sir, you look as if you had seen a ghost. Have you forgotten the vast lengths of our lifetimes?" <br />
"N-no....I haven't...I just....my grandmother?" The next question came up unbidden, "did you know her?" <br />
Bly shrugged, "all Voronwë knew her. She was the 'Golden Star of Silver City". Rhiana is fabled to be the most beautiful woman to ever walk this earth. Of course, each century a new beauty pops up, but I cannot deny she was striking" Bly looked off amongst her people, and spoke in tones that betrayed she was in times long ago, or was it just yesterday?<br />
"She was brave, and skilled with weapons. But she was gentle, and it seemed no one could ever hate her. Actually, there was a running joke amongst us that Rhiana could look into the eyes of an Ortrov, and tame it" Xander found a tree with a bench running around it's trunk, and settled them on it, and listened intently to these tales of the woman he was blessed to have in his line. "She truly was the perfect woman. And to everyone, it was obvious Lithonien had feelings for her, but what young, unattached man didn't? And then, Adan came, and I remember everyone saying, the moment they laid eyes upon each other, it was as if the room was filled with a bright light. Adan was only a Prince then, but as soon as he was given the crown, he rushed back, and begged Rhiana to marry him. She didn't need a second asking" Bly smiled, her heart lightened by the tales of long ago love. "I was too young to attend the wedding, I remember I was so upset, and felt left out. Thalion was going, as were our parents. I remember Lithônien wiping my eyes, and telling me he'd stay with me, that I didn't have to be alone....he smiled as he said that. I didn't realize he was crying inside, I was too young...." Her voice<br />
trailed off, and her eyes grew sad, "that was the last time he ever smiled". <br />
They sat in silence, the music seemed just a background distraction now. Xander spotted Lithônien weaving in and out of the crowd, a sort of stern black ship sailing alone in rejoicing waters. Alora followed behind him, and he suddenly felt worse for her than the broken elf. <br />
"Do you think, he will ever love again?" The two disappeared again, and Bly shrugged, "who knows, the heart can either remain forever bitter, or melt with spring. Why do you ask?" <br />
"No reason" <br />
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The moon was a beautiful sight in Voronwë. Silver shining upon silver buildings, the dark sky contrasting the shining beauty of both the cold lady of the sky, and the still Elvish city. <br />
But it wasn't the striking elegance of the nighttime Voronwë that kept Xander awake as the city slept. <br />
He had hoped the council would make a decision today, and with each passing hour, he felt a yearning to head off to face either his defeat or his triumph. May God allow it to be a triumph! <br />
He sat on his balcony, a thin flute of Elvish wine in his hand. Or, rather, they called it wine. It was more grape juice, than fermented wine; he had had the stuff Felix consumed at shocking rates, and there was a rather large difference. <br />
But there came a cry from sone sort of elvish brass instrument (what he had learned as to be the alarm) in the general direction of the Southern side of the city. <br />
The city he had thought to have been sleeping was like an ant's nest poked by a young boy's stick, suddenly alive and scrambling. <br />
A runner dashed through the streets, shouting something in elvish, and like a mob, a graceful mob, the people rushed from their homes, and down to the southern gate of the city. <br />
Something was happening, and it seemed big. <br />
Xander pulled his cloak on, and joined the street swarm. <br />
There wasn't a sense of danger amongst the elvish people, but poorly suppressed excitement. <br />
Oddly, Lithônien appeared before him, acting most eager to get there, dashing and winding his way around the people. He wasn't dressed in his scholar's uniform, but a more worn, and plain brown robe. <br />
"Lithônien Uaine!" Xander called for him, but it took two more shouts before the elf even half halted, "What do you want, human? I cannot be detained" <br />
<i>rude, but, why should I expect him not to be?</i> "what is all this about? I don't sense danger, what has caused such commotion?" <br />
Lithônien gestured for Xander to keep up pace with him, and spoke as they wove in and out of the crowd, "A Greer has entered the barrier, and was found waiting outside the southern gate. To meet such beings, is an honour beyond all honours, and I must get there before it leaves. Only once has another scholar put down the account of meeting a Greer" <br />
A Greer? Was it the very same one that had saved them from the Dragon? Lady Ou Een? <br />
Walking at their swift pace, the elf and human reached the southern gate in record time, and Xander's suspicions were confirmed. <br />
As majestic and awe inspiring as when they had first seen her, Ou Een stood outside Voronwë's walls, easily towering over them. <br />
Her grey eyes scanned the gathering crowd, as if she were searching for someone, and a look much skin to that of a lost little girl had settled on her face. <br />
It appeared a few other scholars were trying to mentally communicate with her, and they parted as Lithônien approached. <br />
"We are unsure why it is here, Master Scholar. It refuses to even consider our presence" <br />
For some strange reason, to hear Ou Een called "it" irked Xander, and he snapped sharply, "Ou Een is her name. Do not disgrace her by addressing her like nothing more than a new creature" <br />
The Elves looked amazed, but Ou Een's gaze settled on him, and lightened considerably, her lost look fading. <br />
A picture flashed through his mind of Thalion and Bly, along with a question of mark...a question? <br />
He bowed to her, and nodded, sending the mental image of the two embracing as the reunited. <br />
Her happy look quickly turned to one of grief, and she reached her hand down into the city for him to climb into. <br />
Xander had to admit, the look on Lithonien's face was beyond all price. <br />
The Greer sent a sudden tumble of images into his head, along with a tumult of emotions, almost giving him a headache. <br />
She audibly sighed, and slowed down to one mental frame at a time. <br />
Thalion, darting from Voronwë's purity shield. <br />
Adonis, not seeing him. <br />
A dragon...a dragon? Why was there a dragon?<br />
Thalion, pursued, and running away from Adonis. Was he sidetracking the dragon from Adonis, or was he the target?<br />
The Dragon, with a battered Thalion in it's scaly claws, flying south east, towards...<br />
Towards Aragathia. <br />
Xander's eyes flew open, and Ou Een looked apologetic, even fearful. <br />
"Xander! Ou Een!" Bly's voice called from below, and Xander met the Greer's eyes. <br />
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<i>Pleading. Begging. P. L. E. A. S. E. D. O. N. T. M. A. K. E. Ou Een T. E. L. L. Bly</i></div>
Xander nodded once, and Ou Enn put him back down, and she bowed to the gathering of awed Elves, and disappeared back into her forest, but not before sending one last image of an oblivious Adonis, racing towards Revelin with her companion, a second Greer, trailing him, keeping harm from him. <br />
Xander watched her go, his hands clenched at his side as Bly rushed up to him, and the elves stood at a respectably distance.<br />
"What was she here for, Xander?" Bly's eyes were wide, but not from fear.<br />
She suspected nothing....<br />
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<i>Is Thalion dead? Or, does he live in chains? What would Felix do to him? And why was he being pursued?</i> </div>
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"Bly....she came with news of Thalion" and in that instant, her blue eyes turned fearful. Any news Ou Een would come so far out of her comfort zone to tell them, it couldn't be good news. "W-what is...is he fine, Xander? Oh please tell me he is! What has happened? What about Adonis? Did he safely reach Revelin?" </div>
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Xander held her hands as tightly as he could while still being gentle, and felt Lithônien inch closer to hear the news of his younger brother. </div>
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"Bly, Adonis made it safely to Revelin, Ou Een's companion has followed him to the camp, but your brother.." he glanced over his shoulder at Lithônien, making it clear he was including him in this intercourse, "One of Andromeda's dragons captured him, and-" Lithônien pushed past him headed towards the council chambers, and the crowd parted for him. Bly choked back a sob, and fell against Xander, clutching at his tunic. "T-tell me....Xander....d-did Ou Een say i-if he...w-was..." she couldn't get the word out, but Xander understood. "He was still alive when the dragon took off with him"</div>
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No need to tell her that Felix probably had already order a formal execution, or some form of torture. <br />
"But why? For what ends did they capture Thalion? It has something to do with the same reasons I was captured! I know it Xander! It has to be!" <br />
<br />
By morning, the reasoning for Lithônien's storming away was made clear, it seemed he had given the council a verbal sparring, undoubtably putting his own position in the risk by speaking so harshly to those who ruled Voronwë. But, they listened, their aged wisdom allowing humility. And the Voronwë army had been aroused. <br />
It struck Xander as interesting, to the average onlooker, Voronwë was like a peacefully flowing river. Never leaving it's path, nor causing harm. <br />
But in times like this, as they prepared to march against a threat, the river was raging, and whoever stood in the path of it's force, wouldn't stand long before being pushed down by it's violent current. </div>
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ashley tahghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15995046172185384734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792052428746971302.post-11697456823556733392013-03-19T13:24:00.000-07:002013-03-19T13:24:24.646-07:00Kaymele part 10<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i> It's cold and damp, as I sit here at the window, opposite of the room away from the Ceridwen's cot. Once again I've been chosen to watch after the patients, but I don't mind. It's either watch him or go work elsewhere in the camp and so far that job is cooking in the kitchens. Unfortunately I had to be the one to pull the arrows out of his back, stitch up the cuts on him, and keep him alive until Anakis could come. But when they arrived Anakis was concerned with Nairi and once she started applying the medicine Adonis wouldn't let her leave until she was certain Nairi would live. Unfortunately that left me with the grueling job of cleaning up the newest member of the rebels.</i><br />
<i> Since the fake Nairi's appearance and disappearance, I find myself questioning everything, and how this could have happened without my knowing. I don't think I can trust myself anymore, I know Adonis doesn't. Either way Nairi will live. </i><br />
<i> </i>The Ceridwen shifts his position since he can't lie on his back it's hard for him to breath while he's on his stomach. I stand and check his bandages. He hasn't put much strain on them so thankfully they aren't reopening. I'm thanking Ainatar that my mother taught me how to heal some wounds, and multipul sicknesses. Suddenly he rolls his head towards me. <br />
'You...' he mumbles, 'pulled out... ow.' he moans.<br />
He looks so pitiful. Lying there three arrow wounds, several scars from a whip, bruises on his wrists. <i>'I wish I could use a pain relieving spell, but I don't want to do anything without Anakis's okay.' </i>I resolve. He moves again and I look down at him. So much pain crosses his face that it's so hard not to help, but I cannot break my resolve.<br />
'Please...' he whispers.<br />
As he said the word I couldn't stand it any longer. I crossed the room to the door and made a swift exit. As I closed the door I leaned my back against it, and let out a small sigh. Just as I had stepped out Nithron came down the corridor, carrying blankets. He stopped and gave me two blankets, one for me and an extra for my patient. Though at the rate his fever is rising I doubt he'll need it.<br />
'Kaymele, what's wrong? You've gone pale,' asked Nithron taking my hand.<br />
'I-It's him, he's in so much pain and I dont' know what to do for him,' I say.<br />
'Can't you give him something to numb the pain?' He asks.<br />
'No, I'm afraid to. If he's a Ceridwen like Nairi, than he might not tolerate the medicines or spells that we give him. It could also kill him like it would have Nairi,' I say, 'in any case I can't do anything, besides making him as comfortable as I can, until Anakis comes. And she's still in with Nairi.'<br />
'Just relax, she'll be done sooner than you know. When I last checked they were finishing her up, and Adonis was pacing like a madman,' he chuckles.<br />
No sooner had he said this when Anakis, Prid, Adonis, come around the corner and straight towards us. Prid and Adonis are carrying a very haggard looking Nairi between them. One of the more noticeable signs of healing that I could see, is that all the welts have disappeared and are now replaced with pale, pink, skin. Unfortunately she's still quite frail, but it will just take time and effort.<br />
They rushed her into the room and laid her on the other cot. Prid looks flushed but neither I or Nithron had time enough to ask him why. Only Adonis stayed by Nairi's side. Anakis looking as if she might faint any moment turned to the other man.<br />
'I have to go and tell Anakis everything I know about Nairi's friend,' I sighed.<br />
'Alright, don't despair Kaymele. There is still hope in the world, all you have to do is find it. Now go inform Anakis,' he says gently.<br />
He turns and continues down the corridor. I smiled, but then I remember '<i>I don't want anyone else to die trying to save me or my family other than myself.'</i>.<br />
'Kaymele, what is his name?' asks Anakis.<br />
'I don't know, all I know is he's a Ceridwen like Nairi,' I pause hesitant to say I took out the arrows and didn't give him any pain relief, 'I also took three arrows out of his back and washed them out. I didn't apply any medicine to the wounds and I didn't use any pain relieving spells to help settle him. I was worried that he would get worse, or die if I did, so I waited.'<br />
'You were right to do so, but I think, s-since he's been here on earth longer than Nairi, he should be able to tolerate treatment,' she whispers.<br />
'Well then lets get healing him,' I exclaim.<br />
She leans her head down and prays. The spirit of Deus, as they call him, fills her being. She gently touched the wounds with a small smear of a salve she concocted. His face went from extreme pain to relief. His breathing slowed and he drifted off to sleep.<br />
'I put some sleeping potion in the salve to help him sleep more calmly. Now for the buises and scratches,' whispers Anakis.<br />
I hadn't noticed it before, but on his legs and arms are numerous, tiny, brier scratches. He must have been running pretty fast to not notice them. All over him are bruises of all shapes and sizes, either from running so fast or from beatings he had previously received, undoubtedly from Felix's torture chambers. We rolled him onto his back so he could breathe better, and as we did a piece of paper fell out of his pocket with something heavy in it. Slowly I pick it up. Inside the piece of paper is a small stone, the paper is written in a language I've never seen before. I place it on the table between the two beds.<br />
Anakis hands me a bowl of herbs, sap, and water, that once mixed become a paste. The mixture is cool, and moisturizes. Together we spread it onto his many cuts, and Anakis decides to apply a thin layer the first time to see if his skin will tolerate it. After a quick once over of Nairi and she's out of the room mumbling something about apologizing and Percival, the assistant cook.<br />
Adonis is leaning his back against the wall while sitting on the stool beside Nairi. Out of habit I fill Nairi's cup, he glares at me and taps his fingers on his arm as if impatient.<br />
'What?' I ask.<br />
'How...' he growls.<br />
'How what?' I ask more timidly.<br />
'How could you let Nairi nearly die!?' he stands slightly loosing his balance.<br />
'I didn't! Ask anyone, they'll tell you I stayed by Nairi's side the entire time you were gone!' I take a step back, 'The day she was taken, I went to fetch her some water while Anakis applied another remedy of herbs to those welts she used to have. She was there when I left and I asked Anakis to stay and watch Nairi. Well she stepped out for a moment, after Nairi was asleep. We had no idea that there was a raid going on. I was pushed down the well if you must know, and there's no need to make me into the enemy here.' I feel my voice rising until it's a shout, 'I've done nothing but care for Nairi, and you come back and say I haven't! You may hate yourself for what happened in the first place to Nairi but don't take it out on me!'<br />
'Just forget it!' says Adonis and he storms out.<br />
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That afternoon Nithron asked me to practice sword fighting while Natia watches Nuvole and Nairi. Adonis still hates me, but lashing out my frustration in sword fighting is better than lashing out at someone, again. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We travel past the camp so as not to hit anyone to a clearing, and Nithron shows me a few tips on swordsmanship. I'm much better with bows and daggers but if in the midst of battle and I have no other options I'ld much rather know how to fight with a sword than just winging it. We spar off for about an hour, Nithron calls for a break but I'm sure it's for my sake and not his, because he's not even breathing hard yet.</div>
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'You're getting better at moving your feet,' he says taking a swig of water.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
'I'm awful, and you know it. I wish I would have focused on swords instead of bows and arrows,'</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
'No, you're starting to get it. Don't give up after the first try,' <br />
'I guess, but it's still not what I'm used to,'<br />
'Then after a little while we can move on to knives or archery,' he says standing up and offering me a hand.<br />
I take his offer and we practice for a few hours. The glint of our swords in the sunlight, and the clang of blade upon blade lasted until Nithron said that if we wanted to do any other practicing then we'd have to stop for now. He lets me pick our next practice and I choose archery. Though it's quite easy for both of us, we take turns aiming at a dummy that Nithron made. It looks like a scarecrow, close to the ones that we use in our fields back at home. We also use this dummy as the knife throwing target until one of the workers come to tell us that dinner is ready.<br />
After the worker left we cleaned up our fighting area, and walked to the kitchen. We walk past the well, and I shudder. The nightmares of falling continually down the well still haunt me. Nithron notices and starts up a conversation.<br />
'So, what's the news on the newest member of the injured?'<br />
'Well, he looks to be about twenty or so. He's gotten better since Anakis put that salve on him. I was glad to get out of there though, Adonis keeps staring at me with such hostility that I just had to get out of there,' I say heaving the swords into a better position, 'Strange thing happened when I turned the patient over though. As I turned him a piece of paper fell out of his pocket, it had some strange letters on it.'<br />
'Do you think Nairi can read it?'<br />
'I don't know, she hasn't awakened since Anakis worked on her. So I guess we'll have to wait and see,'<br />
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The next morning Nairi is still unconscious, and Adonis is beside himself with anxiety. Her face is starting to get it's normal color back, and the welts on her arms are almost gone. But Anakis is still worried about her, saying that if she doesn't awake soon she would be too weak to take the medicine. Adonis is still upset with me, but not as bad as yesterday. Though towards Nairi he's a perfect angel, giving her sips of water, and helping her in any way possible.</div>
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The other Cewridwen is awake too. He's in some pain, but I apply a coat of salve every hour according to Anakis's instructions. I washed his very grubby face, and combed his matted hair. He looks very similar to Nairi, but is much taller from what I can tell, and quite handsome.<br />
'So, what's your name?' I ask timidly.<br />
'Nuvole, and who are you?'<br />
'I'm Kaymele,'<br />
There's a long pause between us before Nuvole asks.<br />
'Did you pull those arrows out of my back?'<br />
He points to the small table at the foot of his cot. I had left the arrows there because Anakis wanted to see if they were poisoned, and I haven't gotten a chance to take them to her.<br />
'Yes, it wasn't easy though, you kept moving,'<br />
'And Nairi, what happened to her? Is she safe?' he questions wide eyed.<br />
'See for yourself,' I say moving aside and gesturing to the other cot.<br />
'Ah, good. Who's that with her?'<br />
'Oh that's Adonis, we ran into them traveling through the forest with Bly and Xander. They've gone to get help from the Elves,'<br />
'So who did you come with,' he asks innocently.<br />
This for some reason sends a cold shiver down my spine. I haven't answered this question in quite a while, and it still troubles me to answer. <br />
'I came with Nithron, we met up with Anakis, Natia, and Prid in Africi. My dragon Floren...'<br />
'You have a dragon?!'<br />
'Yes, she chose me. I was given her egg as a gift, thought to be a large stone but a week later the rock was gone and in it's place a small baby dragon. Her name is Florentide,'<br />
'Really, well has anyone ever told you...' he starts, but the Nithron pokes his head in.<br />
'Kaymele I was wondering... Oh hey you're awake. Glad to finally get to meet you,' he extends his hand.<br />
'A pleasure, I'm sure,' he says sarcastically.<br />
'What were you wanting to ask me Nithron?' I ask.<br />
'If you wanted to change our sparing time to after lunch?'<br />
'Oh, well I can see if Natia or Anakis can watch him. I think he was too much trouble for Linki last time,' I say teasingly.<br />
'Hey, what can I say. She had it coming,' says Nuvole defensively.<br />
'Oh she didn't do anything, you're just like Nairi always finding trouble,' I say, 'when does Beleg want us to come to the battle planning?'<br />
'Tomorrow,' he says in a very measured voice, 'after breakfast.'<br />
'Thanks, I had forgotten and I can't seem to find my journal. I had written down the time there,'<br />
'Bye,' I say as he leaves.<br />
He mumbles something, but I couldn't catch it.<br />
'Alright mister,' I say gently pushing Nuvole down, 'it's time for you to rest.'<br />
'What if I refuse?' he says sitting back up.<br />
'Then I'll make you,' I say pushing harder.<br />
After I had told him about the potency of mermaid singing he still refuses to sleep. I give him a dose of Sleepers Leaf, and sing to him. He's out in minutes, unfortunately I put Adonis to sleep too and he fell backwards into the wall, and after swearing at me with almost every foul word known to dragons, he decides to go for a walk. I gently pull the covers up to Nuvole's chin and brush the loose strands of hair off his brow. I go over to Nairi's cot, she's sleeping too and do the same. <br />
I sit on the stool between the two cots and try not to cry. But between Adonis's hurtful words, loosing Nairi to Felix's minions, and the thoughts of why I escaped here is unbearable. And in the calm of the sweet morning I wept. <br />
'<i>It's all my fault. About Nairi and loosing her, and making Adonis angry. What I did was unforgivable. I left her, just as I had left Eleniel. This is another reason why I am not queen</i> <i>of my people, I am thoughtless and am nothing but a coward.'</i><br />
In the silence the followed I lost track of time and forgot about food, water, and training with Nithron. The rest of the day I somberly did my duties.<br />
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The next morning a messenger from <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Voronwë</span></span> arrived with a letter from Bly. In the letter Bly stated that they weren't leaving until the Council had given them a decision as to whether or not they planned to assist us in battle. I continued my duties of watching the patients and when the laundry overflows I help there. <br />
Nairi was moved to another room so Anakis could watch her more closely, and so I would have a place to rest. Nuvole's back is much better, and the scratches have almost entirely disappeared. The arrows didn't go in as far as Anakis had predicted, and he'll be up and moving soon. He's now able to sit up, and stay awake for longer periods of time. There's a soft knock on the door and Natia pops her head in.<br />
'Hey, Kaymele,' she says in her normal chirpy way, 'how's the patient? Anakis sent me to do a quick checkup, even though I told her I'm not very good at this kind of work.'<br />
'He's doing fine, I've continued applying the salve and give him plenty of water. Just as she instructed,'<br />
'How are you holding up?'<br />
'Better than yesterday. Adonis just keeps putting the blame on me,' I say folding a blanket.<br />
'Well he is a dragon, and sometimes it takes them a while to cool down again. He's just concerned with Nairi's condition,'<br />
'I guess so, but I didn't think he'ld take it out so fiercely,'<br />
Just then Adonis opened the door and quietly closes it behind him. Natia nods to me and leaves, I wish she would stay, if only to play witness to whatever he says or does. He tells me to sit, and I do. He kneels and bows his head.<br />
'Kaymele, Nairi says I was wrong to yell at you,' I must look unconvinced so he continues, 'Nairi's not the only reason I came over here. I'm sincerely sorry that I blamed you, it's only because...' his voice trails off, 'I don't want anything bad happening to Nairi.'<br />
His eyes are brimming with tears that I know will never fall because of his pride. Reverently I place a hand on his shoulder.<br />
'Can you ever forgive me?' he says quietly.<br />
'Oh Adonis, I'm always able to forgive,' as I say this I remember Locien and how I was so unforgiving towards him. Of course his actions were unforgivable.<br />
'Thank you,' he stands and somberly walks out of the room.<br />
Nuvole, whom I took to be asleep was staring up at me.<br />
'You forgive everyone but yourself,'<br />
His word give me a start, and I slowly turn to face him.<br />
'I don't know what you mean, I have no reason to not forgive myself,' I say quickly turning away.<br />
'You think I didn't see you crying yesterday? You're hiding something from everyone, and you'll keep it on the inside cause that's the best place for you to hide,' he says sitting up, 'or is it?'<br />
He pulls out my journal from under his pillow. Gently running his fingers over the edges of the small bunch of papers.<br />
'I hate to say that I read this, but from what I've gathered your hurting,'<br />
'So what if I am. It's none of your business, just because I don't scream my feelings from the rooftops doesn't mean they don't exist,' I say curtly.<br />
'You're royalty, though,' he says, I must look shocked that's he's been so keen to have figured this out, 'you forget that I was a spy on the inside. I have ways of figuring out and finding information. You know, you'll never be crowned if you keep backing down.'<br />
'I am royalty, I've kept that secret from even Nithron. He thought we were just lower nobility, but even though we live just a simple life among our people, I am a princess,' I whisper.<br />
'Ah so I am right,'<br />
'Yes,' I say trying to sound proud, but my voice cracks.<br />
'Kaymele, why do you hide? It's not like you killed someone,' he chuckles.<br />
<i>'If only he knew, I did kill someone. An evil someone,' </i>I think, 'I don't hide, my life is personal,' I say snatching the journal from his hands, 'and if you ever touch, or read this again I will go to Beleg and have you sent back to Felix.'<br />
Just then there's a knock at the door, Nithron enters with hastening steps. He grabs my arm and pulls me towards the door.<br />
'Quickly, Beleg has called for an emergency meeting about the battle plans, and you still owe me a sparing match,' he puffs, as if he's out of breath.<br />
Natia, who was in the next room, takes my place and we're off. Across the camp to Beleg's tent, Adonis is there looking a little red around the eyes, but he just washed his face. Prid, Derpa, and Percy are here too. Beleg stands over his table of maps, and a new message lies on the table beside him.<br />
'Glad you're all here, it appears that the Elves are planning to help us, but we must meet them half way, in between the Aduin River and the River Fire,'<br />
Though Derpa can't speak he still understands that leaving the Tawarthion's protective, though dangerous, area could cost us dearly. He gives his hoof a stomp and shakes his head.<br />
'Derpa's right, if we leave we are exposing our entire army to Andromeda's wrath,' says Prid banging his fist onto the table.<br />
'Is there another way?' I ask looking over the maps.<br />
'From what I understand the Elves are already there, but still if we plan on getting anywhere with the battle we must go out and meet our allies,' says Beleg in a measured voice, 'and no, I don't think there is another way. If we were to launch an attack immediately then we would undoubtedly be no more than dust.'<br />
'But dust builds after time,' says Nithron taking a step further into the room, 'I think if we take extra precautions, we can make it, we just need to get started.'<br />
There's a long pause, and everyone is completely silent. <br />
'Of course not everyone will journey with us to the meeting point, just the few soldiers and the all of you who are prepared to fight,' he pauses taking in our faces, ' we may also need Anakis to join as our healer.'<br />
'No,' says Prid, 'she's not fond of battles.'<br />
'She's the most qualified for healing and medicine use,' argues Beleg.<br />
'I still thi...'<br />
'But I want to go,' says Anakis from the tent flap.<br />
'Splendid, I'll add you to the list,' says Beleg.<br />
After the debates, and other arguments the meeting ends, and we all depart to our various jobs. I head back to my patient, but Nithron stops me. His eyes filled with questioning, I know I must be blushing cause my cheeks feel as hot as the rocks in the summer.<br />
'Where were you yesterday? I waited for two hours, and you never came,' he blurted out.<br />
'I'm sorry, I was watching Nuvole and...'<br />
'Oh, Nuvole,' he grumbled, crossing his arms and furrowing his eyebrows.<br />
'And what's that suppose to mean?' I exclaim taking a defensive tone.<br />
'Nothing, you've just been obsessed with him ever since he arrived!' he retorts.<br />
'What?! How could you ever think that! I have done nothing but help, and you think I have feelings for Nuvole!? I can't believe this!'<br />
'Well it sure seems that way, what with you always by his side and...' he rants.<br />
'There's nothing between us!' I shout.<br />
'Are you sure? Cause from what I understand you've become very close!'<br />
'What are you talking about? There's nothing whatsoever between us!'<br />
'I can't believe you Kaymele do you think I'm stupid?!'<br />
'You can't believe me, do you hear yourself? What's gotten into you?'<br />
'Oh I don't know, maybe betrayal, lies, deceitfulness...'<br />
'Are you insane, I've never lied to you!' I insist.<br />
'Really? So when where you going to tell me you're a princess?'<br />
My mouth drops open.<br />
'Yes, your patient told me all about it how you're not only a princess, but a princess about to be crowned queen!' he thundered.<br />
'I ment to tell you but...' I start softly.<br />
'But nothing, I trusted you Kaymele very much,'<br />
'Well if you trusted me so much then maybe, just to save from future arguments, I should leave!' I hiss, 'and maybe I shouldn't have come in the first place!'<br />
'Maybe I shouldn't have rescued you...' he mumbles.<br />
'Sorry, didn't catch that,'<br />
'I said, maybe I shouldn't have rescued you!'<br />
Dead silence, all around. Nothing but our breathing, and the resounding sound of our fight. I clamp my hands over my mouth, my eyes fill with tears, and take a deep breath.<br />
'Well then, I guess this is goodbye. I shall return to my people,' I say, then turn and run back to my room.<br />
I know he chases after me, but I don't slow up. As soon as I'm through the door I slam it in his face, and fling myself onto the bed and weep. I don't even notice that Nuvole is missing, but it doen't matter I've lost my last friend, and surely I will be executed when I return to my people.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06661127746422279825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792052428746971302.post-86059757938036417272013-03-06T15:10:00.001-08:002013-06-10T08:51:55.624-07:00Prid (Part 4)<div style="text-align: center;">
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I lay in my cot, trying to sleep. I was still thinking about Anakis. How could she? After all I did for her, she still didn't trust me with her race. After I told her about my childhood. After I promised to escort her to the rebel base. After I cried my eyes out about my uncle in front of her. I didn't get it.<br />
<div>
I rolled over. Tears ran down my cheeks. I loved her. I really did. But, if she was going to keep secrets from me...</div>
<div>
Adonis walked into the tent. I quickly wiped the tears away with my blanket. Adonis took one look at me and scowled.</div>
<div>
"What are you worried about?" he asked.</div>
<div>
I sighed. "Did you know that Anakis is a fairy?"</div>
<div>
"She is?" he said, uninterested.<br />
"Yes, and I didn't know until I saw her healing Nairi."<br />
"How did she heal her? With herbs?"</div>
<div>
"No. With Jumal Maagiline."</div>
<div>
"What on earth is that?"</div>
<div>
"God Magic."<br />
Adonis scoffed. "That's ridiculous. You're telling me that God gave the kid magic to heal Nairi?"<br />
"Come see for yourself." I gestured towards the healing tent.<br />
We snuck outside. When we arrived at the opening, Adonis peered in. He took one look and jumped back.<br />
"Woah," he said. "Were they glowing with..."<br />
"Jumal Maagiline? Yes."</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792052428746971302.post-81077370384284080122013-03-05T19:29:00.000-08:002013-03-05T19:29:45.701-08:00Bly {Part 3}<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>"His story was sad, and I was amazed by how strong he stayed. Constantly with a smile on his face, and a cheerful word to us. Captain Bolivar was an amazing person, and I found myself admiring him. He rather reminded me of a cross between my two brothers, Lithonien and Thalion. Without his help, I'm quite sure our flight would have been made a good deal more complicated".</i></div>
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The fire had burned low, and Bly awoke. They had stopped for the night at the edge of the Tawarthion Forest. With a shiver she sat up, and looked around at her traveling companions. Adonis was curled up in a dragon like position, but his face was troubled, as if he was having dreams he would rather not have. Nairi was sleeping, her sword held close and tight, and a frown was on her face as well.<br />
"Does so much misery trouble you two?" Bly whispered softly. <br />
Xander shifted, and she turned to look at him. He sat with his back against a tree, and his red sword laid across his lap. His hands were clenched on the sheath until his knuckles were white.<br />
It was an interesting sword, red from the handle to the tip, and a sheath of black with red swirls painted down it. It certainly didn't seem to be any ordinary weapon, she would have to ask him about it.<br />
One of the horses stomped their hoofs and snorted nervously, no doubt being so near Tawarthion had them disturbed. She herself had difficulty sleeping with the aurora of danger. She decided to go comfort the animals, and stood up, shaking her long, dirty skirt out. <i>'I'm going to have to do something about this dress. Why do Elven ambassadors have to wear white?'</i> she stepped behind the bushes were Xander had tied Ciar and Rudy. And she frowned at what she saw, both horses had been left in full saddle and gear.<br />
"Now, thats hardly a way to treat you two" She began unbuckling Rudy's tack "After carrying us through the city, and aiding us, its the least we can do to give you proper rest when-" she stopped talking when she saw the long, jagged scars on Rudy's side. Tears came to her eyes as she laid a hand on the markings, "Surely, surely Captain Bolivar wouldn't treat you thus, it, it just doesn't fit what he would do. Abusing an animal he cares so much for, no. Surely not" Rudy shuddered as her hand gently traced the ugly scars. Suddenly, a pulse seemed to overcome her, and she felt dizzy. She leaned up against Rudy, and shook her head. "What, what just..." she shook her head again. She hadn't gotten much sleep lately, maybe this was just one of the side affects.<br />
Bly moved on to Ciar, who had even more dress on then Rudy. Aside from the saddle, and normal tackle, she wore an extravagant headpiece that covered her brow, and sported detailed stitching and two tassels. "I will have to speak to Captain Bolivar about your scars, and how he kept you in the...the-" as she removed Ciar's headpeice, her heart stilled.<br />
"Thats, not, possible. It, it cant be...I'm, I'm tired, and...seeing, things" Bly reached up, and touched the circular scar under Ciar's long forelocks. It was hard, like a smoothed bone, and perfectly circular.<br />
Her breathing quickened, "No...it...surely not..." she rushed back to Rudy's side, and looked at his scars.<br />
With a cry, she covered her mouth, every inch of her was shaking.<br />
Abusing an animal was one thing, but what had been done to Ciar and Rudy was...unspeakable.<br />
Pure white anger filled her, and she clenched her hands.<br />
"How dare you, Captian Bolivar, how dare you defile them like this"<br />
She stormed over to him, and with stregnth she didn't know she had, jerked him to his feet.<br />
"Wake up, Xander. You man of no conscience"<br />
Adonis and Nairi woke up, "Hey, what's going on?" Nairi asked. And Adonis laughed at the sight of Bly holding Xander's throat and lifting him above her as if he weighed nothing. <br />
"Tell them, Captain Bolivar. Tell them what those animals are. How dare you" Bly said through clenched teeth. Xander tried to loosen her grip on his neck, but it was useless. Realization dawned in his eyes, "Ciar and...and Rudy, you mean?" <br />
Bly slammed him against a tree, "You have had part in harming two of the three sacred species" she slammed him up against the tree again. "And you dare rescue an Elf? Why not crop my hair? Why not shorn my ears off? Why not leave me to Felix's torture? What made me different?!" <br />
Xander gasped for breath, and Bly heard Adonis and Nairi both shouting her name and saying something, but she blocked their voices out. <br />
"Unicorns! Pegasus's! Dragons! All creatures that must not be harmed! Yet, I find Ciar's horn to be shorn off, and Rudy's wings clipped! Explain these actions to me, Captain Xander Bolivar!" <br />
Xander gripped her wrist, and gasped again, "If...you...I...breath..." she realized she was choking him, and loosened her grasp enough to let him breathe. "Explain" she growled. <br />
"I, I, For all things Precious! I didn't do it Bly!!" he shouted at her. <br />
A wave of exhaustion came over her, and she felt the burning anger slowly ebb away. <br />
She set Xander back on his feet, and leaned against the tree for support. <br />
With the exhaustion, came grief. She slid to the ground, and covered her face with her hands, and wept. <br />
Everyone else was quiet, but she felt Xander's hand on her shoulder, "Bly, you didn't know, it wasn't your fault"<br />
Bly looked up, to Adonis, whose face was a mixture of relief, pride, and surprise in turn. Nairi, who looked purely terrified, to Xander, who knelt beside her. She shook her head, and wiped a tear away. "I am sorry, Xander. I couldn't help myself, I wasn't able to think rationally. But, that's not why I'm crying" she glanced over to where she could see the horses, for without their horn and wings, that's what they were, and began to cry again. <br />
Xander shifted uncomfortably, obviously not used to seeing a woman cry, and she felt him pull her into a hug. "I know. It grieved, and still grieves, me too". She looked up, tears still in her eyes, "How? How did it happen? Who did it?" <br />
Xander sighed, "I don't know. We, Greven and I, found them outside of Aragathia one morning. Rudy's side was still bleeding, and Ciar's stub was still wet. Neither one of us had no idea who could've done that, especially since their numbers are dwindling" Xander looked truly grieved, "They were both just Foals. And Rudy was so full of fire, it took us the whole of an hour to convinced him we weren't going to harm him or Ciar" Bly shook her head, "Remarkable, normally, an injured Pegasus or Unicorn never trust again" <br />
Xander nodded, and continued, "He was dropping blood everywhere, another hour, and he would have died. Thankfully, Greven's mother was a herbist, and he knew which plants would stop bleeding. We wrapped him up in my coat, and he followed my like a puppy ever since" <br />
There was a silence, and Adonis spoke up, "Wouldn't it solve a lot of problems if you had just told her what they were?" <br />
Xander shrugged, and stood up, offering his hand to Bly. "Most likely. But she had just lost a close friend, and had been imprisoned, I didn't think she needed the added stress of knowing what Ciar and Rudy were"<br />
Adonis shrugged, "Well, I'd do anything to keep unneeded disputes down". That earned him an elbowing from Nairi, "Look, the fool speaks".<br />
He cast her a glare, "Hey shorty, didn't you hear what Bly said? 'Unicorns, pegasus's, and Dragons, all creatures that must not be harmed'. Pushing your luck, are ya?" <br />
"Please, I apologize for my behavior. When Elves get angry, we lose all control" Bly spoke hesitantly, but it broke up the blooming fight between Nairi and Adonis. <br />
Nairi looked at her with huge eyes, "I thought you were going to kill him" <br />
Bly looked down at her feet, "So did I". </div>
ashley tahghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15995046172185384734noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792052428746971302.post-23070106009349694102013-03-03T07:15:00.000-08:002013-03-03T08:33:04.777-08:00Felix {part 5}<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/550x/6e/02/a6/6e02a65d6a707d817bae98a2e9890c70.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/550x/6e/02/a6/6e02a65d6a707d817bae98a2e9890c70.jpg" width="344" /></a></div>Felix sunk into his throne, and massaged his temples as he did.<br />
"Idiots....the lot of them. All idiots"<br />
Andromeda came behind him, and massaged his shoulders, her dark hair falling over his shoulder as she leaned her head near his. "You have no need to worry about them, anymore, my love" <br />
It was true, the execution of all those who had let the Ceridwen siblings slip through their fingers had been swift, and it did give his ill mood some balm. <br />
"What of Greven? Do you think he was in league with Captain Bolivar, my love?" <br />
Andromeda pondered his question, but as her rosy lips parted to answer, the door burst open roughly, in the throne room, there was no privacy. <br />
"My King!" A guard bowed quickly. his dark blond hair was plastered to his head as if the guardsman had been plowing twenty acres of rocky soil. <br />
"The dragon Lady Andromeda sent out has returned"<br />
Felix felt Andromeda stiffen, but not with apprehension. His lady love's pets rarely failed in their duties for her. <br />
"And? Has my dragon caught it's quarry?" <br />
She spoke, and her hands rested on Felix's shoulders. <br />
"Well, my lady, I don't know what the beast was sent for, but he did return with an Elf, if that is what you sought for him to do" <br />
Felix gripped his throne's arms, and failed so suppress the pleased grin. "Then bring our captive in, soldier! But do be careful with her, we cannot have Lady Bly injured any further" <br />
The guard looked puzzled, "sir, it isn't a lady, but a man"<br />
Andromeda hissed softly in aggravation, but Felix patted her hand, perhaps their cause wasn't yet undone. <br />
"Then my orders still stand. Lead the elf in" <br />
The man bowed, and exited, returning quickly with three other soldiers, towing a rebellious looking Elf between them. <br />
The captive looked beaten, and worn, a fire kindled behind his dark eyes, a sort of righteous anger that caused something within Felix to quiver. But he silenced that part by reminding himself who sat upon the throne, and who was being bound in chains. <br />
"So, who might I have the honour to address on this eve?" Felix spoke, and waved the guards aside. The elf was dumped before his throne, and his chains clunked against the tiled flooring. <br />
Andromeda flitted around to stand in front of their prisoner, and the Elf's eyes sharpened. <br />
"I see you recognize me, Thalion of Voronwë" her voice was cold, chilling, and Felix thanked the stars she was on his side. <br />
"You've changed your appearance, Andromeda of the Land across the seas, and you've grown to be more than a simple nobleman's secret lover, I see" the elf spoke without fear, and Felix watched with interest the interaction between the two. <br />
The guards were dismissed, and Andromeda knelt in front of the Elf, Thalion. Her hand tilted his chin up, and she spoke in a soft hiss, "indeed I have. The last time we met, it was by accident of my own. I hadn't meant to show myself to the Elves attending Adan's wedding. But look now, Thalion, look at whose mistake brings about our second meeting" <br />
Thalion remained unfaltering, Felix had to hand that to him. The elf glared back at Andromeda, before speaking in soft, yet deadly tones, "You think you can hide your intentions from me, Andromeda. But I am not my sister" both Andromeda and Felix looked surprised at this good stroke of luck "yes, Bly is my little sister. I can see that evil dark heart that swirls like dark oil within you" the elf's eyes narrowed, "know this, you 'royal' scum, evil only lasts for some time before good overcomes it" <br />
Felix stood to his feet, but he wasn't needed, Andromeda slapped their 'guest' with a flame tinged hand, leaving a burnt mark on the elf's tanned cheek. <br />
"Speak to me anyway you desire, Thalion. But speak not of the King in such ways, or I will kill you as I stand and use your guts for bait" <br />
Felix wasn't completely sure they weren't going to do that anyway, but there was no need to tell this brother of Bly their plans in full. <br />
The guards were again summoned, and as Thalion was being hefted out, his voice came back to them, "Enjoy your power and the free reign to do evil, Felix! As you sit, throwing tantrums over escaped prisoners, Adan's heir has joined the fight against you. Adan's descendant will come to claim his right and his throne, and you will be the one whose head is removed!" <br />
The doors shut behind him, and Felix was still silent. Adan's Heir? He should have known allowing that nanny to escape with Adan's son was a mistake. How old would his nephew be? Nearing forty? Fifty? Still younger than Felix, but not all that young either. <br />
But Thalion hadn't said Adan's son would be returning....<br />
As if Andromeda heard his thoughts, she spoke, "perhaps it is not the son of your brother that threatens us, my love" <br />
Felix nodded, and worked his jaw in agitation, "indeed. It could very well be my nephew's son". <br />
<br />
------------------<br />
<br />
Felix paced his chambers while a solitary candle burned low as the night passed him by. <br />
He was too old to spend nights without sleep. the spells Andromeda had put on him to slow his aging were wearing off, and a more lasting solution was needed. <br />
But it wasn't thoughts of his age finally being its catching up to him, the wrinkles forming about his face, the way his bones felt achy and sore so often these days. <br />
Nor was the occupier of his thoughts Andromeda, though she did hold them so frequently. <br />
It was his brother's offspring. <br />
"What was the child's name....I'm growing forgetful....Cyril, it was Cyril, was it not?" He poured himself another goblet of wine, and walked to the open window where night air breezed through.<br />
"Or was it Veyhirön? No, no....that's what his mother called him, some sort of damned Elvish version of his name" he wanted to throw the wine glass, but feared awakening Andromeda. She slept so restlessly these days as it was. <br />
"Cyril....what have you done all these years? Worked your way into the Revelin base? Risen in their ranks? Trained leagues to be devoted to you? Do you yet live? What of your children? I suppose you must have a son, is he the commander of his men's hearts?" His grip on the goblet tightened. "Did you tell him stories upon your knee about how you would remove your wicked uncle from rule?" <br />
He slammed the gold cup down on the table, creating more noise than he desired. <br />
"And you have Captain Bolivar steadfast on your side, I can only assume" <br />
Losing Xander Bolivar had been sour, not many of his men were as devoted to their job, nor had any other man held the courageous hearts of his men like Bolivar. <br />
The very idea that the once loyal captain was aiding his brother's heir was infuriating. <br />
"I will hang them both, side by side" his voice was a low growl, and he continued to glare at the wall. <br />
And so was how he spent his evening, cursing the man who would fight for his crown, and the one who no doubt aided him. <br />
The possibility that they were one and the same never crossing his mind.<br />
<br />
-------------------------<br />
<br />
Morning dawned prematurely. A fine fog had come from seaward, making the air heavy and mysterious. Felix had come to a decision in the fleeting hours of the night. <br />
If his nephew, or his nephew's son, planned to attack, Felix wanted the upper hand. <br />
He would have to attack first. <br />
His soldiers had been summoned, the forces that idled around Aragathia revived. <br />
He now addresses them, telling them of all the glories a simple soldier can gain from just returning from battle victorious and honoured. <br />
<br />
Of course, most of it was lies, but the soldiers, proud, ready to become something great, need not know that. <br />
<br />
Andromeda had summoned her dragons, and they quivered in the outer ring, their dark eyes filled with the desire for a fight. They wanted blood, and Felix planned to give it to them. <br />
<br />
A shout arose from the men as Felix finished his glorified speech of lies, and the dragons rose up on their hind legs, blasting flames into the air, filling the city with the smell of brimstone. <br />
<br />
None of the townspeople had ventured out of their homes on this ominous day, soldiers filled every corner, and dragons lumbered in the streets. Some said the shadows even appeared to be moving, as if dark, hidden creatures lurked in them. <br />
And more than one report of a death hound was acknowledged. <br />
<br />
Felix beamed with pride as he watched his army move out, and Andromeda came to his side. Her dark hair blew in a nonexistent breeze, fanning out behind her as if it had a will of it's own. <br />
Her violet eyes sparked with a strange light, and she laid her hand on his shoulder. <br />
"I ride with them, my love. I have scores to settle in Revelin, and quarry I couldn't bear to see mishandled". <br />
He nodded once, and kissed her lips, warm with the fire kindling within her, as it did whenever her interest was peaked. <br />
Or whenever she was at her most cruelest. <br />
"Be safe, my Right hand, I wish that I could join you, but as it is..."<br />
He couldn't finish that, he couldn't bring himself to say he felt tired, worn, old. <br />
That he would be a cumbersome fighter, and for once, his age was showing. <br />
She smiled, and behind them a smoke figure materialized. It appeared half dragon, half dark storm cloud. <br />
"Fear not, Felix. If I succeed, and I will, you shall have many battles, and victories to claim as a young, rejuvenated man". <br />
<br />
And she was gone, striding her smoke dragon, and her air that of a wild warrior woman. <br />
<br />
Felix smirked, and crossed his arms over his chest, With Andromeda leading his forces towards Revelin, there was no possibility of a defeat. <br />
<br />
<I>SO! I decided to get this little battle started. And I know the last part was a bit vague, but I purposefully made it that way. ;)<br />
But there ya are. Let the fight begin, and may the odds, be evah in your favah. </I>ashley tahghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15995046172185384734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792052428746971302.post-4587971374555979342013-02-24T11:19:00.004-08:002013-02-24T11:19:54.271-08:00Bly {Part 7}<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
,,<br />
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Bly tugged at Xander's collar, fussing over him for what she counted was the fifth time. <br />
He smiled and softly took her hands, "Bly, am I going to speak before a council, or am I going to going to meet my maker? I'm confused the way you keep primping me like a worried mother" <br />
She frowned, and gave his collar one last straightening. "You must make the best appearance you can. The last human most of the council members have met was King Adan" <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Funny, what a coincidence. </i></div>
"My what a long time that was" Xander didn't seem nearly as concerned as she had hoped, and Bly gave up. <br />
"Bly Uaine, daughter of Councilman Arten, and Erulissë from the house of Siusan." Her name was called, and she stepped forward between the huge doors of the council room. <br />
Once, she had commented to Tenzin that giving reports always felt like she was going on trial, and he had laughed, And said she would get used to it someday.<br />
But, standing here, in front of the Queen and King's throne, the council men's seats spreading out like a half moon around her, she noted she still felt nervous. <br />
"Captain Xander Bolivar, human, of the Royal guard of Aragathia. Please join Bly Uaine" <br />
Xander came by her side, and she could see him gawking at the room from the corner of her eyes. <br />
She mentally groaned. <i>Great. Now he will appear to be a simpleton. </i><br />
There was a small hubbub of whispering as he entered the room, surely discussing his colors. They had become to much more clear since entering Voronwë, even she could see the significance of them. <br />
She used the small wave of quiet chatter, and whispered, "at attention, Soldier" <br />
The result would have been comical, if she wasn't so tense. Xander instantly stopped staring about the elegant, yet naturally built room, and stood straighter, his chin held high, though not high enough to be assumed prideful. <br />
Bly caught the Queen's smile as she leaned forward, "Bly Uaine, please recount the happenings of your trip to quell the small dispute between Voronwë and King Felix" <br />
Bly began her narrative. She told of the trip there, the quick negotiations, how even she had considered them too easily made. Their return trip, the ambush, and waking in a prison cell. <br />
The councilmen whispered more, and she paused respectively, but Queen Bellasiel gestured for her to continue. <br />
"Captain Bolivar came my rescue, putting himself in danger to get me safely from Aragathia" she told of their escape, and the meeting of Nairi and Adonis. Their journey and meeting Nithron, Kaymele, Prid and the fairies. <br />
There was noticeable stir when she mentioned the fae folk, and she noticed Councilman Featherheart's eyes light up at the mention of his son. <br />
"Do you mean to tell us, the Fairies have left their tree? All these centuries, they are finally beginning to enter the world again?" Bly's father spoke from his council seat, and she nodded politely. <br />
"At least three of them have" <br />
She then recounted their finding the Ortov, and slaying it. Nairi and her own near death experiences. The arrival into Revelin. Xander's acceptance into the Revelin guard. Nairi's near capture by the Dragons, her illness returning, their trek here (though she left out meeting in Ou Een, she just spoke of being saved by Yahweh) and their arrival. <br />
As she bowed respectively, King Meglidur asked if the council members had any questions. <br />
"Bly," Councilman Featherheart rose, and cleared his throat. "Do you believe Felix used these 'negotiations' as a way to lure us to him? And what do you believe his reasonings are?" <br />
She shook her head, "I truly have no idea why he would want us there. But I believe, yes. It was a finely crafted lure" <br />
Xander shifted beside her, and raised his hand slowly. "M-might I speak, oh Council and Court?" <br />
The Queen smiled, and inclined her head. "Granted" <br />
"Before I rescued Bly, I managed to overhear some interesting bits of conversation between Felix and Andromeda they w-"<br />
"Andromeda?" King Meglidur stood, his hands tight fists. <br />
"Y-yes, my liege. Andromeda is Felix's right hand, and, it is rumored, his lover" <br />
Meglidur nodded, and whispered to the Queen, who asked Xander to continue, though a certain look had entered their eyes. 'So it seems I'm not the only one unsettled by her. All they heard was her name, and I can sense the growing strain of the room...' Bly noted, she looked around, noting the slight flicker in the councilmen's colors, the slight cautiousness in their color tones. <br />
"They were discussing Tenzin and Bly...something about Tenzin's heart wasn't adequate. But Bly's was. I have no clue what they might have been discussing, but it sounded, to me, like they didn't want Elves, per se, but an Elf. One elf"<br />
Silence reigned for a brief moment, and the King whispered yet again to his Queen. <br />
Bly was clueless, what could Felix and Andromeda want with one heart? <br />
A small cough came from the corner of the room, and all eyes turned to a thin Elvish woman. She wore the silver and blue of a scholar, and she had the timid look of a field mouse. Brown hair pulled back into a loose bun, which had soft tendrils of lightly curled hair escaping it to frame her narrow face. She had the altogether look of someone too distracted to care much about her daily appearance. <br />
She was a scholar alright. <br />
"If I-I might s-speak...K-King Meglidur, Q-Queen Bellasiel..." <br />
"Please do, Scholar Alora" Bellasiel smiled softly, encouraging the timid woman. <br />
Bly felt for her, she knew how it was to lose one's tongue. She had been so stricken the first few times of testifying that she had just gaped like a miserable fish while Tenzin had recounted their story. <br />
"Head Scholar Lithônien had r-researched s-some interesting, eh, interesting w-writings on v-various dark m-magics. Ones that d-didn't draw their p-power from Yahweh, but other, forms" she emphasized the "Other" and a dark look crossed the Council's faces. <br />
"H-he gave it up, m-moving to other t-topics, but I r-remember one potion...it struck me as b-barbaric..." <br />
"And?" A councilman drummed his fingers on his chair arm, a sure sign of anxiousness. <br />
Bly couldn't blame him, the very topic of dark magics frightened her as well. It wasn't a loosely taken matter. <br />
Alora seemed to have gathered a bit more courage about her, and spoke more firmly. "It was a potion to extend to longevity of life. On it's own, I wouldn't have been so appalled, Oh Council and Court. It was the ingredients that caused my stomach to turn" <br />
All eyes were on the Scholar, and Xander appeared deep in thought. <br />
"It required the souls of an Elf, a Fairy, a Mermaid and a Ceridwen, the four races that hold the most runic power" <br />
The room was quiet, not even Bellasiel or Meglidur consulted together. It was an almost haunting silence. One where Bly could almost feel the swirling thoughts of the others in the room. <br />
Alora shifted nervously, and finally King Meglidur spoke. "This news....it is quite disturbing. Captain Bolivar, have you anything to add that might approve or debase this possibility?" <br />
Beside her, Bly felt Xander shift, and his hand brushed against hers. <br />
"Felix grows old, it is very likely he desires to continue ruling. It is a widely whispered suspicion he used base actions to gain the throne. He could very easily have objections to ending his rule" <br />
There was a general sound of agreement, and Bellasiel addresses Alora, "have Head Scholar Lithônien look into that potion, perhaps we might discover more about it" <br />
Alora bowed, and hurried out, and the Elvish Queen turned her attentions to Bly, "We have a personal matter to discuss with your companion, Bly Uaine" <br />
Xander looked petrified, but Bly gave him a shaky smile, and exited the council chamber. <br />
She stood out in the balcony overlooking the bay, watching the little boats bob and float around like leaves in a puddle. <br />
The news Xander would receive today would be something that would change his life forever. <br />
And hers too. <br />
Though she tried insisting it would change nothing, she knew it to be otherwise down inside. <br />
A sound of distant rumbling caught her attention, and she looked towards the sound. A low dark cloud was coming, a storm. While Voronwë was known for it's fair weather, storms still came. <br />
Bad weather was coming to Voronwë from the direction of Revelin. <br />
Something caused a shiver in her spine, though she knew not what. <br />
But the sense of something ill stayed with her, and she couldn't shake it away. </div>
ashley tahghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15995046172185384734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792052428746971302.post-17514349710701707262013-02-23T17:33:00.000-08:002013-06-10T08:50:00.048-07:00Natia (Part 4)<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinimg.com/736x/0f/11/e5/0f11e545de576886e52b87710d12e27a.jpg" width="213" /></div>
"Natia, please listen to me!"<br />
<div>
I blinked. Was someone talking to me? Sure enough, Anakis was staring at me pleadingly.</div>
<div>
"Natia, I need you to tend to Percy while I try to take care of the others."</div>
<div>
"Okay," I replied. What others?</div>
<div>
"Wake up, Natia!" yelled Anakis. "I have to take care of the others. It's extremely urgent."</div>
<div>
"Fine," I said, crawling out of my warm cot. "I'll watch Percy."</div>
<div>
I walked over to the wounded tent. Percy, who was feeling a bit better, sat up on his cot.</div>
<div>
"Hello, Natia," he said when I walked in.</div>
<div>
"How do you fare now, Percy?" I asked.</div>
<div>
"Much better, m'lady. Anakis says that I have a slight infection, and that I shouldn't use my arm until it's completely healed." He glanced toward Nairi's cot. "I can tell you who does not fare well."</div>
<div>
"Oh, Anakis will have her fixed up in no time," I told him. Anakis was already preparing to heal Nairi. I had to try and keep Percy calm.</div>
<div>
Now, Anakis was glowing, full of Deus, and Percy was frightened.</div>
<div>
"Wh-what's happening to her?" asked Percy.</div>
<div>
"Um, nothing. She's just, um, healing Nairi. That's all, Percy. That's all."</div>
<div>
Percy, still frightened, said he was going to lay down. I didn't blame him. I sat at the end of his cot and watched Anakis.</div>
<div>
Just then, Prid walked into the tent. Anakis, startled, stopped glowing with Deus.</div>
<div>
"What is going on?" asked Prid, rather suprised. He stared at her wings.</div>
<div>
"It's not what you think," said Anakis. She glanced at Nairi, who was moaning on her cot. "Please let me finish. She's in pain."</div>
<div>
Prid, still in shock, left the tent without a word.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792052428746971302.post-32980756860571841512013-02-20T14:27:00.003-08:002013-06-10T15:43:56.751-07:00Nuvole (part 3)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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"Stupid chains!" I screamed, slamming my magical shackles against
the wall.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Stupid Felix!”<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bang.</i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Stupid
Andromeda!” <br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bang.</i><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Stupid castle!”<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bang.</i><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Everything is so stupid!" <br />
Rage was overwhelming all my senses. All I could do was scream and bash my
chains against the wall, which only served to bruise my wrist. But I didn't
care. The king, Felix, lied to me. He kidnapped my little sister, hurt her
even. Of course I wanted revenge. I wanted to drive a sword through his cold,
lying heart. But at the moment, more than anything, I wanted to break my sick
sister out of the dreary cell and get her to safety. "ARGH!" I
yelled as I threw a stone against the wall. Suddenly I felt a burning pain in
my chest.<br />
"Will you quit your yelling, foolish boy?" I met the evil, smiling
glare of Andromeda. "I'm glad you are being made to suffer but your
screaming is quite annoying."<br />
I took a deep breath and calmed down before I answered, "Fine, I'll quiet
down." I looked down and pretended she had broken my confidence.<br />
She laughed an evil laugh that chilled me to my bone. I knew this woman
could kill me with a snap of her finger, and as much as I hated it, until I
broke out of here, I was going to have to pretend to obey. "That's better.
And just so you don't try anything, both the cell you are in and the chains you
wear will suppress your power. So, unless you somehow manage to gather as much
power as an Ice Dragon – which, by the way, have been dead for millennium
- you won't be breaking out any time soon." And on that happy note,
Andromeda left.<br />
Now that my head was clear and I could think straight, strategies started
popping into my head. I took a look at my surroundings. Three guards.
Apparently Andromeda didn't trust just the shackles to keep me imprisoned. <br />
"E-excuse me, sir." I waved to one of the guards. He was probably
in his thirties. To him twenty was still probably considered a kid.
"W-water." I put on my best <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I'm
just an innocent boy who is being hurt by these people </i>face. Apparently it
worked.<br />
"Listen kid. I don't know what you did to deserve this. It just seems
wrong to me. But I can't get you some water. I'm under strict orders from Lady
Andromed-"<br />
I faked pain at the sound of her name. "P-please don't talk about her.
Sh-she scares me." I huddled into a corner and started shivering. It
wasn't hard to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was pretty cold
down here, even for me.<br />
The guard’s brow furrowed with concern. "Hey, I'm sorry. Regulus, I
know she said not to, but I think we should get the boy some water. He's just a
kid."<br />
"I know, Mercer, but what do you think she would do to us if we open
that cage?"<br />
"That's only if she finds out though. Yashir, come on, you think the
kid deserves a little something to drink don't you?"<br />
Yashir shrugged, "I don't care what you do. I'm bored and only here ‘cause
I get paid."<br />
"Great, then I'm getting the kid something to drink." I don't know
why he had to ask all his friends before he got me some water, but I didn't
care. He would have to open the cage to give me the water. I just hoped I could
take on three armed soldiers.<br />
Mercer came walking back in the room with a small mug of water, took the
keys off his belt, and walked into the cage leaving the door wide open.
"Here, kid." He started to hand me the water but realized I was
shackled to the floor. He sighed and took out another key.<br />
I decided this was the stupidest guard on the surface of Incantevole, but
hey...it worked for me.<br />
He unlocked my chains and I slid my hands out of the shackles. As soon as my
hands were free, I felt the power rush back into me. Acting like I was taking
the water, I pushed the man back with a gust of wind, causing him to crash into
a wall and pass out. I got up and sprinted out of the cage. Yashir and Regulus
moved to block my way, each with a hand resting on the hilt of their swords.<br />
"You’re not human," Regulus said with a hint of fear.<br />
"Nah, of course not."<br />
Yashir sighed. "I don't get paid enough for this. Listen kid, get back
in the cage or we will have to kill you."<br />
I laughed. "Just try."<br />
They both came at me. They were faster than I had thought and one cut the
side of my leg and the other cut my arm. I winced in pain. "Listen, we are
some of the king’s best swordsmen. I really don't want to kill you," Yashir
pleaded.<br />
"Well, too bad," I said, "’cause I'm going to save my
sister!" I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and froze them both in
place just as they had charged me. I opened my eyes to a frozen sword at my
neck and let out a nervous laugh. "Well that was lucky." I slipped
past them and limped up the long, stone corridor. The cut to my leg and arm
were deeper than I thought. I would have to be more careful if I wanted to save
Nairi.<br />
I made it to the top of the stairs and listened. "I wish something
interesting would happen." A deep male voice said from somewhere to the
right.<br />
"I know what you mean. This is so boring. What is the point of guarding
the top of an underground cell that has three guards already guarding it from
inside," another, more gravely, male voice said from the left. I slipped
out and saw them leaning on the wall. Both their eyes were closed. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Idiots<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">,
</span></i>I thought. I stood up and stupid me couldn't resist the urge.
"I know what you mean. It's not like he is gonna escape, beat his three
guards, and make it here."<br />
"Exactly!" they said opening their eyes, turning to look at each
other, and seeing me.<br />
"Hello, I would ask how your day is but I should probably run." I
ran past them and immediately felt a searing pain in my shoulder. I didn't dare
look but I knew an arrow was lodged there.<br />
I started zigzagging, making for a harder target. Not that that would help because
at that moment one of the guards yelled "Hey, One of the prisoners is
escaping. Help!" <br />
In a flash, guards filled the open court yard. I muttered a curse under my
breath as they blocked all the exits. I looked around and realized the prison
was to my left, still encased in ice. "Yes." I mumbled, though they
were blocking that exit too. At that moment I did the safest and most logical
thing I could think of, I charged the wall of guards blocking the prison exit.<br />
Everyone seemed surprised I headed that way, but not long. I ran into them.
Friendly tip: swords hurt...A lot!<br />
I got past them with barely my life. I dodged under their feet, was stabbed
in the arm, received a glancing blow to my face, was whacked in the head with a
sword hilt, and felt the sting three arrows pierce my body. But hey, I'm alive.
I ran to the wall of ice and heard someone say, "Ha, we've got him
now."<br />
<i>Yeah, right</i>, I thought as I opened a passage in the ice and sealed it
behind me as I ran. <i>In your face!</i> <br />
I ran till I saw Nairi's cell. She was lying there, pale and breathing heavy,
with puss oozing from huge boils on her arm. "N-Nairi." I said
wincing as the pain caught up with me. "You okay?" Her eyes opened
and they looked kind of glazed over.<br />
"N-Nuvole?"<br />
"Yeah, it's me. I'm getting you out of here."<br />
"Really?" She was talking but didn't really seem to be there.<br />
"Yeah, come on." Despite being near death and having a gash in my
arm, I picked up Nairi, froze the water in between the bricks of the prison, weakening
the mortar between them. Throwing a gust of wind towards the wall, I blasted a
hole to the outside. "I can't believe that...that worked." I panted
and walked to freedom cradling my baby sister in my arms.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I heard the sounds of utter failure
inside the walls of the city. Which, despite all my pain and being near death,
made me smile in triumph<br />
My triumph was short lived. About a mile from the castle, everything went horribly
wrong. I heard the sound of howling death hounds, which sent a chill down my
spine. I ignored all my pain and ran - ran as fast as my body would go. I only
thought about protecting my little sister. I don’t know how long I forced my
legs to keep moving, but eventually my body could take no more. I fell to the
ground, Nairi falling on top of me, pushing the arrows deeper into me. I heard
the panting of the hounds and knew I was going to die. I didn't care. The only
thing that wrenched my heart was that my sister would die too, my little
sister. I saw the claws and smelt the disgusting stench of the death hounds as they
were circle around us. I closed my eyes and suddenly a blast of heat swept over
me.<br />
"Don't touch her!" Someone yelled in rage. I opened my eyes to see
a tall, red-haired figure standing over my sister. Fire raged around his fist
as he killed every last one of the death hounds.<br />
As soon as they were gone he bent down and touched Nairi's forehead. His
face was a mix of worry, relief, and anger. He sighed, "I'm glad you’re
okay, Shorty." He picked her up, and I heard footsteps coming.<br />
A girl’s voice spoke first, "Adonis, what’s…" She stopped
mid-sentence. "Nairi! She's okay!"<br />
"Yeah," the red head, Adonis, said."I think this guy helped
her. You might wanna do something. He looks almost dead." He said it like
he could care less about what happened to me.<br />
I felt someone touch my wounds with something cold which caused my vision to
blur and I nearly passed out. I was vaguely aware of being carried. I kept fading
in and out of consciousness. They laid me on something hard and I heard the
girl say, "I'll have to pull the arrows out, but I'm not Anakis. I don't
know if I should."<br />
"I say pull 'em out and wait and see."<br />
"Adonis, that's terrible."<br />
"What, it's not like he is going to get any better with arrows
protruding from his back."<br />
The girl sighed and I felt a pain shoot through my lower back. Just before
everything went completely black, I heard Adonis say, "See Kaymele, was
that so hard?" <br />
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<![endif]-->Kathrine Hatterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18094944521758691210noreply@blogger.com1